operate

UK: /ˈɒpəreɪt/ US: /ˈɑpəˌreɪt/ ,(op′ə rāt′)

Inflections of 'operate' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

operates

v 3rd person singular

operating

v pres p

operated

v past

operated

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

op•er•ate /ˈɑpəˌreɪt/   v., -at•ed, -at•ing. 

1. to work;
   function:
   [no object] This coffee machine is not operating properly.
2. to manage or use:
   [~ + object] could operate farm machinery.
3. to carry on business:
   [no object] The company operates in southern California.
4. to put or keep in operation:
   [~ + object] operated a factory in the midwest.
5. Surgery to perform a medical procedure in which the body is cut open and a part is removed or adjusted: [no object]
   The surgeon is ready to operate.
   [~ + on + object]
   The surgeon operated on several patients.
6. Informal Terms to put oneself into a position of favor, advantage, etc., in a cunning way:
   [no object] really knows how to operate in the halls of government.

See -oper-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

op•er•ate  (op′ə rāt′), v., -at•ed, -at•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to work, perform, or function, as a machine does:
   This engine does not operate properly.
2. to work or use a machine, apparatus, or the like.
3. to act effectively;
   produce an effect;
   exert force or influence (often fol. by on or upon):
   Their propaganda is beginning to operate on the minds of the people.
4. to perform some process of work or treatment.
5. Surgery to perform a surgical procedure.
6. Drugs (of a drug) to produce the effect intended.
7. Military
   • to carry on operations in war.
   • Military to give orders and accomplish military acts, as distinguished from doing staff work.
8. to carry on transactions in securities, or some commodity, esp. speculatively or on a large scale.
9. Informal Terms to use devious means for one's own gain;
   insinuate oneself;
   finagle:
   a man who knows how to operate with the ladies.

v.t. 

10. to manage or use (a machine, device, etc.):
    to operate a switchboard.
11. to put or keep (a factory, industrial system, ranch, etc.) working or in operation:
    to operate a coal mine.
12. to bring about, effect, or produce, as by action or the exertion of force or influence.

• Late Latin operātus, past participle of operārī, -āre to work, be efficacious, effect, produce, Latin: to busy oneself, verb, verbal derivative of opera effort, work, akin to opus work; see -ate¹
• 1600–10

op′er•at′a•ble, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

operate / ˈɒpəˌreɪt/ verb

1. to function or cause to function
2. (transitive) to control the functioning of
3. to manage, direct, run, or pursue (a business, system, etc)
4. (intransitive) to perform a surgical operation (upon a person or animal)
5. (intransitive) to produce a desired or intended effect
6. (transitive) usually followed by on: to treat or process in a particular or specific way
7. (intransitive) to conduct military or naval operations
8. (intransitive) to deal in securities on a stock exchange

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin operāri to work