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
Kelly is now tasked with operating a group that was No. 29 overall in points and No. 27 in total yardage in 2024.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
South Korea is in the top five countries for foreign direct investment in Tennessee, with 24 South Korean companies operating here, employing more than 4,200.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
Today’s housing market mostly operates out in the open — in one place, buyers surfing Zillow or Redfin can see nearly every home listed for sale.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for operate 
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David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
South Korea is in the top five countries for foreign direct investment in Tennessee, with 24 South Korean companies operating here, employing more than 4,200.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
Today’s housing market mostly operates out in the open — in one place, buyers surfing Zillow or Redfin can see nearly every home listed for sale.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
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 8 Feb. 2025.
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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