English Dictionary
Definition of “operate”
operate (ˈɒpəˌreɪt
)
Definitions
verb
- to function or cause to function
- (tr) to control the functioning of ⇒
operate a machine
- to manage, direct, run, or pursue (a business, system, etc)
- (intr) to perform a surgical operation (upon a person or animal)
- (intr) to produce a desired or intended effect
- (tr) usually foll by on to treat or process in a particular or specific way
- (intr) to conduct military or naval operations
- (intr) to deal in securities on a stock exchange
Word Origin
C17: from Latin operāri to work
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
= perform surgery carry out surgery put someone under the knife
Translations
- British English:
operate
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.The family owned and operated the factory.ˈɒpəˌreɪt VERB The family owned and operated the factory.
- Spanish:
funcionar
v
- French:
opérer
v
- German:
funktionieren
v
- Chinese: 操作 v
- Arabic: يُشَغِّلُ v
- Portuguese: funcionar v
- Russian: действовать v
- Croatian: rukovati v
- Czech: fungovat v
- Danish: betjene v
- Dutch: functioneren v
- Finnish: toimia v
- Greek: λειτουργώ v
- Italian: funzionare v
- Japanese: 操作する v
- Korean: 작동하다 v
- Norwegian: betjene v
- Polish: zadziałać v działać
- Brazilian Portuguese: dirigir vt
- European Spanish:
funcionar
v
- Swedish: driva v
- Thai: ปฏิบัติ v
- Turkish: işlemek v
- Vietnamese: vận hành v
- British English:
operate
When surgeons operate on a patient, they cut open the patient's body in order to remove, replace, or repair a diseased or damaged part.You examine a patient and then decide whether or not to operate.ˈɒpəˌreɪt VERB You examine a patient and then decide whether or not to operate.
- Spanish:
operar
v
- French:
opérer
vt
- German:
operieren
v
- Chinese: 手术 v
- Arabic: يُجرَي عَمَلِيَّةٌ جِرَاحِيَةٌ vi
- Portuguese: operar v
- Russian: оперировать v
- Croatian: operirati v
- Czech: operovat v
- Danish: operere v
- Dutch: opereren v
- Finnish: leikata v
- Greek: εγχειρίζω v
- Italian: operare v
- Japanese: 手術する v
- Korean: 수술하다 v
- Norwegian: operere v
- Polish: zoperować v operować
- Brazilian Portuguese: operar v
- European Spanish:
operar
v
- Swedish: operera v
- Thai: ผ่าตัด v
- Turkish: ameliyat etmek v
- Vietnamese: mổ v
Usage examples
He kicked my ankles up the steps, my legs not wanting to operate.
Robert Wilson, A DARKENING STAIN (2002)In contrast, Orange's Talk Now service will operate on top of the European GSM network.
New Scientist (2004)She hopes that from now on her mission will be able to operate normally.
Irish Times (2002)In wider areas, Numan, Neil McCann and Claudio Reyna can all operate there, but none is a specific craftsman.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Cheap chicken certainly fulfils Tesco's mission to `deliver unbeatable value for our customers in every market that we operate '.
Joanna Blythman, SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
