26984 words

operate

8 definitions • 24 examples
1
to (cause to) work, be in action or have an effect:

Examples:

How do you operate the remote control unit?
Does the company operate a pension scheme?
For several years she operated a dating agency from her basement.
Changes are being introduced to make the department operate more efficiently.
Exchange rates are currently operating to the advantage of exporters.
2
to cut a body open for medical reasons in order to repair, remove, or replace an unhealthy or damaged part:

Examples:

If the growth gets any bigger they'll have to operate.
Are they going to operate on him?
3
to work or cause something to work, be in action, or have an effect:

Examples:

[ T ] How do you operate the remote control unit?
[ I ] Changes are being introduced to make the department operate more efficiently.
4
to cut a body open in order to repair, remove, or replace an unhealthy or damaged part:

Examples:

Doctors will operate on her tomorrow morning.
5
to use or control equipment or a machine or to make something work:

Examples:

Older people are returning to classrooms for instruction in everything from operating a mouse to mastering spreadsheets.
6
if a business, system, etc. operates in a particular way, it works or is used in that way:

Examples:

Changes are being introduced to make the department operate more profitably.
Exchange rates are currently operating to the advantage of exporters.
operate through sb/sth Centralized lenders operate through mortgage brokers and insurance companies.
operate at sth The plant is operating at barely 30% of capacity.
7
to do business in or from a particular place:

Examples:

operate across/in/from sth We operate in 50 countries around the world.
operate out of sth The organization operates out of a small office in the centre of town.
8
to manage a business, service, etc. and make it work:

Examples:

The company operated 156 fewer stores this year.
We began operating a pilot service earlier this year.
Does the company operate a pension plan?

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