operate

verb

op·​er·​ate ˈä-pə-ˌrāt 

ˈä-ˌprāt

operated; operating

intransitive verb

1

: to perform a function : exert power or influence

factors operating against our success

2

: to produce an appropriate effect

the drug operated quickly

3

a

: to perform an operation or a series of operations

The refinery is planning to begin operating as soon as possible.

b

: to perform surgery

The surgeon has been operating all morning.

c

: to carry on a military or naval action or mission

The army will operate in conjunction with the air force.

4

: to follow a course of conduct that is often irregular

crooked gamblers operating in the club

transitive verb

1

: bring about, effect

2

a

: to cause to function : work

operate an automobile

b

: to put or keep in operation

operated a grocery store

3

: to perform an operation on

especially : to perform surgery

—usually used with on

operate on a patient

operating on a brain tumor

Synonyms

• handle
• run
• work

Examples of operate in a Sentence

They hope to have the windmill operating again tomorrow.

The camera also operates underwater.

The machine can operate at high speeds.

instructions for operating the new microwave oven

a license to operate a motor vehicle

The café is owned and operated by a young couple.

The organization operates a recycling program.

It's the only casino operating in the state.

The company operates from Chicago.

a militant group operating against the government

Recent Examples on the Web

The platform is owned by ByteDance, which operates in China and must coöperate with Chinese intelligence and give the Chinese government access to private data. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025

After signing the executive order on Monday, Trump told reporters that the U.S. government is entitled to half of TikTok's U.S. business in exchange for allowing the app to continue operating. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

The ban, which was due to go into effect Sunday, stems from a law that requires TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. assets in order to continue operating in the United States. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025

The bus station will continue to operate even during construction of the project around it. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operātus, past participle of operārī "to work, be efficacious, effect, produce," going back to Latin, "to busy oneself, be at work," probably back-formation from operātus "busy, engaged, occupied with religious observances," from opera "activity, effort" + -ātus -ate entry 3 — more at opera entry 2

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

operate

verb

op·​er·​ate ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt 

operated; operating

1

: to work or cause to work in a proper way

how to operate the new microwave oven

2

: to take effect

a drug that operates quickly

3

: manage sense 1

operate a business

4

a

: to perform an operation or a series of operations

b

: to perform surgery

operate on a patient

Etymology

from Latin operatus, past participle of operari "to work" — related to maneuver see Word History at maneuver

Medical Definition

operate

verb

op·​er·​ate ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt 

operated; operating

intransitive verb

: to perform surgery

transitive verb

: to perform surgery on

operated the growth