operate

operate
op|e|rate
W2S3 [ˈɔpəreıt US ˈa:p-] v
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1¦(machine)¦
2¦(business/organization)¦
3¦(system/process/service)¦
4¦(medical)¦
5¦(work)¦
6¦(soldiers/police)¦
7 operate as something
8¦(laws/principles)¦
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[Date: 1600-1700; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of operari 'to work', from opus; OPUS]
1.) ¦(MACHINE)¦
a) [T]
to use and control a machine or equipment
▪ The Lewis family operated a number of boats on the canal.
▪ Clive was experienced in operating the computers.
b) [I always + adverb/preposition]
if a machine operates in a particular way, it works in that way
operate in/at
▪ Check that the equipment is operating in a safe manner.
▪ The bus is designed to operate in all weather conditions.
▪ Most freezers operate at below -18°C.
2.) ¦(BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION)¦
a)
if a business or organization operates in a particular place or way, it works in that place or way
operate in/within/from
▪ a design company operating from offices in Seattle.
▪ A playgroup operates on the campus.
▪ They were trying to reduce operating costs .
b) [T]
to control a business or organization
▪ Nuns are operating an emergency hospital.
3.) ¦(SYSTEM/PROCESS/SERVICE)¦ [I and T]
if a system, process, or service operates, or if you operate it, it works
▪ The whole tax system is now operating more efficiently.
▪ The new law doesn't operate in our favour.
▪ The car parks operate a pay-as-you-leave system.
▪ The bus company operates a Monday to Saturday service.
4.) ¦(MEDICAL)¦ [I]
to cut into someone's body in order to repair or remove a part that is damaged
▪ Doctors had to operate to remove the bullet.
operate on
▪ the surgeon who operated on Taylor's knee
5.) ¦(WORK)¦ [I]
to do your job or try to achieve things in a particular way
▪ Most people just can't operate in noisy, crowded conditions.
▪ Older children often like to operate independently.
6.) ¦(SOLDIERS/POLICE)¦ [I]
if soldiers or police officers are operating in an area, they are working in that area
operate in
▪ Security patrols now operate in some of the most dangerous parts of the city.
▪ enemy submarines operating in the Mediterranean
7.) operate as sth
to have a particular purpose
▪ The foam operates as a very effective filter.
▪ The car's service manual is designed to operate as a guide for owners.
8.) ¦(LAWS/PRINCIPLES)¦ [I]
to have an effect on something
▪ the laws of evolution operating on each species
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HINT sense 4
A surgeon does not 'operate' a part of a person's body. He or she operates on it: [i]They need to operate on her stomach (NOT operate her stomach).
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Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • operate — op‧e‧rate [ˈɒpəreɪt ǁ ˈɑː ] verb 1. [transitive] to use and control a machine or equipment: • the software necessary to operate the machine 2. [intransitive] MANUFACTURING if a machine, factory etc operates in a particular way, it works in that… …   Financial and business terms

  • Operate — Single by Peaches from the album Fatherfucker Released …   Wikipedia

  • Operate — Op er*ate, v. t. 1. To produce, as an effect; to cause. [1913 Webster] The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock. A. Hamilton. [1913 Webster] 2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • operate — I verb accomplish, achieve, act, act upon, administer, administrate, assume responsibility, attain, bring about, caretake, carry into execution, carry on, carry out, cause, command, conduct, control, deal with, direct, discharge, do, drive,… …   Law dictionary

  • operate — [v1] perform, function accomplish, achieve, act, act on, advance, behave, be in action, bend, benefit, bring about, burn, carry on, click*, compel, complete, concern, conduct, contact, contrive, convey, cook*, determine, direct, do, enforce,… …   New thesaurus

  • Operate — Op er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Operated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Operating}.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to G. [ u]ben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. [ae]fa. Cf. {Inure},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • operate — (v.) c.1600, to be in effect, from L. operari to work, labor (in L.L. to have effect, be active, cause ); see OPERATION (Cf. operation). Surgical sense is first attested 1799. Meaning to work machinery is from 1864 in Amer.Eng. Related: Operated; …   Etymology dictionary

  • operate — *act, behave, work, function, react …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • operate — has derivative forms operable (‘able to be operated on’, especially in medical contexts) and operator …   Modern English usage

  • operate — ► VERB 1) (of a machine, process, etc.) be in action; function. 2) control the functioning of (a machine or process). 3) (with reference to an organization) manage or be managed. 4) (of an armed force) conduct military activities. 5) be in effect …   English terms dictionary

  • operate — [äp′ər āt΄] vi. operated, operating [< L operatus, pp. of operari, to work < opus (gen. operis): see OPUS] 1. to be in action so as to produce an effect; act; function; work 2. to bring about a desired or appropriate effect; have a certain… …   English World dictionary

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