operator
O-puh-ray-tuh
Operator (noun) means a person who runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system. Example: “The crane operator carefully lowered the beam into place.”
noun
1
A person who runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system.
"The crane operator carefully lowered the beam into place."
"The forklift operator checked the brakes before starting work."
"A trained operator must always be present when the machine is running."
2
A person who connects telephone calls or provides similar assistance.
"She asked the operator to connect her to the embassy."
"The operator put me through to the right department."
"When the line went dead, I called the operator for help."
3
A company that runs a particular service or business.
"The tour operator cancelled the trip due to bad weather."
"The bus operator has added more evening services on this route."
"Several mobile network operators offer cheap plans for students."
4
A symbol representing a mathematical or programming action, such as + or =.
"The plus sign is an operator that adds two numbers together."
"In most programming languages, the star is a multiplication operator."
"The equals operator checks whether two values are the same."
5
Someone who is skilled at getting results, sometimes through cunning or questionable means.
"He's a smooth operator who always seems to get his way."
"Be careful with him, he's a clever operator who knows everyone."
"She's a cool operator who can talk her way past any doorman."
How to use operator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something that runs or controls a system, service, or piece of equipment.
Common pairings
machine operator
tour operator
telephone operator
smooth operator
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Word forms
- Plural
- operators
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The crane _____ carefully lowered the beam into place.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin operator, "one who works," from operari — the same root as "operate."
Related words
Rhymes for operator
See all rhymes for operator →Frequently asked questions
What does “operator” mean?
The word “operator” means a person who runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system. In plain terms, someone or something that runs or controls a system, service, or piece of equipment.
How do you pronounce “operator”?
“Operator” is pronounced O-puh-ray-tuh (/ˈɑpəˌɹeɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “operator” in a sentence?
Here is “operator” used in a sentence: “The crane operator carefully lowered the beam into place.”
What part of speech is “operator”?
“Operator” is a noun.
Where does the word “operator” come from?
The word “operator” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin operator, "one who works," from operari — the same root as "operate.".
Is “operator” a common word?
“Operator” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “operator” have?
“Operator” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system.
What is the difference between an 'operator' and a 'driver'?
An operator is a person who runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system, which can include stationary equipment like a crane or a printing press. A driver specifically controls a moving road vehicle, so every driver is an operator, but not every operator drives.
What is the difference between an 'operator' and an 'operative'?
An operator runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system, or connects telephone calls. An operative is a worker or agent, often a skilled labourer or someone carrying out secret or specialised work, and does not carry the machine-control meaning.
What kinds of words commonly follow 'operator'?
'Operator' often pairs with the machine or system being run, as in 'crane operator', 'machine operator', 'tour operator', or 'network operator'. These collocations point to the sense of a person who runs or controls something.
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