operate
verb
op·er·ate
ˈä-pə-ˌrāt 
ˈä-ˌprāt
operated; operating
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
1
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
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 crash happened in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2023, when a Cruise vehicle operating without a driver ran over a woman who was thrown into its path.
—
Jason Green, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Suncor Energy operates the only refinery in Colorado and the facility processes 98,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Jones founded Infowars, which operates under Free Speech Systems, in 1999.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Goes Melting Pot In sheer size and number, New York offers the biggest slate of holiday market shopping, and the main three options, Union Square Park, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park, are operated by the same folks, combining for over 500 vendors and 100 food choices.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operate 
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Jason Green, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Suncor Energy operates the only refinery in Colorado and the facility processes 98,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Jones founded Infowars, which operates under Free Speech Systems, in 1999.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Goes Melting Pot In sheer size and number, New York offers the biggest slate of holiday market shopping, and the main three options, Union Square Park, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park, are operated by the same folks, combining for over 500 vendors and 100 food choices.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operate
Dictionary Entries Near operate
Cite this Entry
“Operate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
operate
verb
op·er·ate
ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt
operated; operating
: to perform surgery
: to perform surgery on
operated the growth
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