operate */*/*/

operate */*/*/
UK [ˈɒpəreɪt] / US [ˈɑpəˌreɪt] verb
Word forms "operate":
present tense I/you/we/they operate he/she/it operates present participle operating past tense operated past participle operated
1)
a) [intransitive] if equipment operates, it works and does what it is intended to do

The ventilation equipment was not operating properly.

operate on/at:

Many computers were still operating on a two-digit dating system.

The motor operates at very high speeds.

b) [transitive] to use and control a piece of equipment

You should not operate machinery after taking this medication.

My job was to operate the telephone switchboard.

2)
a) [intransitive] if an organization or company operates, it does its work

The company has been operating in Europe for two years.

operate as:

Richardson's will in future operate as a subsidiary of AFA.

operate under/within:

All the parties have to operate within the democratic system.

operate on a basis/principle:

The organization operates on a non-profit basis.

b) [transitive] to run a company or organization

The car hire business is operated as a separate company.

3)
a) [transitive] to organize a service or system and make it available to people

The government will operate an interest-free loan system.

a licence to operate a passenger transport network

b) [intransitive] if a service or system operates, it exists and is available

Flights operate every day from Birmingham.

4) [intransitive] to cut into part of someone's body for medical reasons

Surgeons had to operate to remove the bullet.

operate on:

The driver of the car was operated on immediately.

We may have to operate on your leg.

5) [intransitive] if something such as a rule, idea, or fact operates, it exists and has an effect in a particular situation

Racism operates at many levels, conscious and unconscious.

Very different factors were operating in the local and national elections.

operate as:

This law effectively operates as a tax on education.

6) [intransitive] if someone operates in a particular way, that is how they achieve what they want to do
operate as:

The sales staff usually operate as a team.

operate by doing something:

Carlson operated by gaining people's confidence and then taking their money.

She won't argue with you – that's not how she operates.


English dictionary. 2014.

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  • Operate — Op er*ate, v. t. 1. To produce, as an effect; to cause. [1913 Webster] The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock. A. Hamilton. [1913 Webster] 2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • operate — I verb accomplish, achieve, act, act upon, administer, administrate, assume responsibility, attain, bring about, caretake, carry into execution, carry on, carry out, cause, command, conduct, control, deal with, direct, discharge, do, drive,… …   Law dictionary

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  • Operate — Op er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Operated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Operating}.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to G. [ u]ben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. [ae]fa. Cf. {Inure},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • operate — (v.) c.1600, to be in effect, from L. operari to work, labor (in L.L. to have effect, be active, cause ); see OPERATION (Cf. operation). Surgical sense is first attested 1799. Meaning to work machinery is from 1864 in Amer.Eng. Related: Operated; …   Etymology dictionary

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  • operate — has derivative forms operable (‘able to be operated on’, especially in medical contexts) and operator …   Modern English usage

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