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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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   The meaning of OPERATE is to perform a function : exert power or influence. How to use operate in a sentence.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › operateOPERATE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › operate

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   OPERATE meaning: 1. to (cause to) work, be in action or have an effect: 2. to cut a body open for medical reasons…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › operateOPERATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › operate

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   Operate definition: to work, perform, or function, as a machine does. See examples of OPERATE used in a sentence.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   OPERATE definition: 1. to (cause to) work, be in action or have an effect: 2. to cut a body open for medical reasons…. Learn more.

6. 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.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › operateOperate - definition of operate by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › operate

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   1. to function or cause to function. 2. ( tr) to control the functioning of: operate a machine. 3. to manage, direct, run, or pursue (a business, system, etc) 4. ( intr) to perform a surgical operation (upon a person or animal) 5. ( intr) to produce a desired or intended effect.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Definition of operate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.