26984 words

operates

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?
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 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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