operate
O-puh-rayt
Operate (verb) means to work or run, especially a machine or system. Example: “She learned to operate the forklift in a single afternoon.”
verb
1
To work or run, especially a machine or system.
"She learned to operate the forklift in a single afternoon."
"The factory operates around the clock."
"The new lift does not operate when the power is off."
2
To perform surgery on a patient.
"The surgeon operated on his knee for three hours."
"The doctors will operate on her heart early tomorrow morning."
"Vets sometimes have to operate quickly to save an injured animal."
3
To run or manage a business or organization.
"The family has operated this restaurant for forty years."
"She hopes to operate a small bakery in her home town one day."
"The charity is operated by volunteers who give up their weekends."
How to use operate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something work, run a business, or perform surgery.
Common pairings
operate a machine
operate on a patient
operate a business
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- operates
- Past tense
- operated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She learned to _____ the forklift in a single afternoon.
Etymology
From Latin operari, "to work or labor" — related to "opus" (a work) and "operation."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for operate
See all rhymes for operate →Frequently asked questions
What does “operate” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “operate”?
“Operate” is pronounced O-puh-rayt (/ˈɑpəɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “operate” in a sentence?
Here is “operate” used in a sentence: “She learned to operate the forklift in a single afternoon.”
What part of speech is “operate”?
“Operate” is a verb.
Where does the word “operate” come from?
The word “operate” comes from Latin. From Latin operari, "to work or labor" — related to "opus" (a work) and "operation.".
Is “operate” a common word?
“Operate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “operate” have?
“Operate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to work or run, especially a machine or system.
What is the difference between operate and use?
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.
Does operate mean to perform surgery?
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.
What are the different meanings of operate?
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.
What is an example of operate in a sentence?
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.
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