operate

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verb

/ˈɒpəreɪt/

present tense
I/you/we/they	operate
he/she/it	operates
present participle	operating
past tense	operated
past participle	operated

1
[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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
1. a.
  [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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
2
[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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
1. a.
  [transitive] to run a company or organization
  The car hire business is operated as a separate company.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
3
[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
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
1. a.
  [intransitive] if a service or system operates, it exists and is available
  Flights operate every day from Birmingham.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of operate

This is the British English definition of operate. View American English definition of operate.

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View the pronunciation for operate.

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