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1. Dictionary

   op·er·ate

   /ˈäpəˌrāt/

   verb

   • 1. (of a person) control the functioning of (a machine, process, or system): "a shortage of workers to operate new machines" Similar workmake gorunset offuseutilizeemployhandlecontrolwieldplymanagebe in charge ofdrivesteerguidepilotmanipulatemaneuverexercise
   • ▪ (of a machine, process, or system) function in a specified manner: "market forces were allowed to operate freely" Similar functionworkgorunperformactbe in actionbehavebe in working/running orderbe operativetake effectactbe in effectbe in forcebe in operationstandapplybe appliedrunbe/remain validbe currentfunctionbe efficacioushold goodbe the caseOpposite break downfail
   • ▪ be in effect: "there is a powerful law that operates in politics"
   • ▪ (of a person or organization) manage and run (a business): "many foreign companies operate factories in the U.S" Similar directcontrolmanagerunconductcarry ongovernadministersuperintendhead (up)leadlook aftersuperviseoverseepreside overbe in control/charge of
   • ▪ (of an organization) be managed and run in a specified way: "neither company had operated within the terms of its charter"
   • ▪ (of an armed force) conduct military activities in a specified area or from a specified base: "the mountain bases from which the guerrillas were operating"
   • 2. perform a surgical operation: "surgeons operated on on his jaw yesterday morning" Similar perform surgerycarry out an operationinterveneinformal:put someone under the knife

   Word Origin early 17th century: from Latin operat- ‘done by labor’, from the verb operari, from opus, oper- ‘work’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › operateOperate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › operate

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   Operate means to perform a function, produce an effect, or work in a proper way. It can also mean to perform surgery or a military action. See the word history, synonyms, example sentences, and related words of operate.

3. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › operateOperate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › operate

   Definitions of operate. verb. perform as expected when applied. synonyms: function, go, run, work. run. be operating, running or functioning. work. operate in or through. see more. verb. handle and cause to function. “do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol” synonyms: control. control, master.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishOPERATED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Operated is the past tense and past participle of operate, which means to work, be in action or have an effect. It can also mean to cut a body open for medical reasons. See how to use operated in sentences and related words.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishOPERATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Operate means to work, be in action, or have an effect, or to cut a body open for medical reasons. Learn how to use operate in different contexts, such as business, medicine, or technology, with examples and translations.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishOPERATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   operate. (ɒpəreɪt ) Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense operates , present participle operating , past tense, past participle operated. 1. verb B2. If you operate a business or organization, you work to keep it running properly. If a business or organization operates, it carries out its work.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryOPERATED | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   to ( cause to) work, be in action or have an effect: 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. Specially equipped troops are operating in the hills.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionoperate verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   [intransitive, transitive] to be used or working; to use something or make it work. The regulation operates in favour of married couples. He believes that sinister forces are operating.