operate

The word “operate” means to work or run, especially a machine or system. In plain terms, to make something work, run a business, or perform surgery.

“Operate” is pronounced O-puh-rayt (/ˈɑpəɹeɪt/ in IPA).

Here is “operate” used in a sentence: “She learned to operate the forklift in a single afternoon.”

“Operate” is a verb.

The word “operate” comes from Latin. From Latin operari, "to work or labor" — related to "opus" (a work) and "operation.".

“Operate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Operate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to work or run, especially a machine or system.

To use something simply means to employ it for a purpose. To operate something means to control and run it, usually a machine, system, or process that requires skill or active management. You use a phone, but you operate heavy machinery — 'operate' implies responsibility for how it actually works.

Yes. In medicine, to operate means to perform surgery on a patient, as in 'the surgeon will operate tomorrow.' It's one of the word's most common specialized senses, sitting alongside the general meaning of running a machine or system. The context — a hospital, a patient — makes the surgical sense clear.

Operate has three main senses. First, to control or run a machine, as in operating a crane. Second, for a business, service, or system to function, as in 'the buses operate on Sundays.' Third, in medicine, to perform surgery. All share the idea of something actively working or being made to work.

You might say, 'She was trained to operate the printing press,' or 'The company operates in twelve countries.' In a medical context, 'Doctors had to operate immediately.' Each example shows the core idea of running, controlling, or making something function.