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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-webstercollegiate.com › dictionary › operateOperate | Definition of operate by Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webstercollegiate.com › dictionary › operate

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   Define operate: to function or behave in a proper or particular way—usage, synonyms, more.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › operate onOPERATE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › operate on

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   OPERATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com. operate. [ op- uh-reyt ] show ipa. See synonyms for operate on Thesaurus.com. verb (used without object),op·er·at·ed, op·er·at·ing. to work, perform, or function, as a machine does: This engine does not operate properly. to work or use a machine, apparatus, or the like.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › essential-british-english › operateoperate definition | Cambridge Essential English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › essential-british-english › operate

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   Definition of operate in Essential British English Dictionary. operate. verb. uk / ˈɒpəreɪt/ operating | operated. B1. to cut someone’s body and remove or repair part of it: Did they have to operate on him? If an organization or business operates, it works: Our company is operating under very difficult conditions.

5. www.wordsmyth.netoperate | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English ...

   www.wordsmyth.net

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   Definition of operate. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.

6. www.webster-dictionary.org › definition › operateOperate | Definition of Operate by Webster's Online Dictionary

   www.webster-dictionary.org › definition › operate

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   Looking for definition of Operate? Operate explanation. Define Operate by Webster's Dictionary, WordNet Lexical Database, Dictionary of Computing, Legal Dictionary, Medical Dictionary, Dream Dictionary.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › operateoperate verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › operate

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

8. www.oed.com › dictionary › operate_adjoperate, adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › operate_adj

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   What does the adjective operate mean? There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective operate . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.