operate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
    run.
    • She is running a relief operation in the Sudan
  2. verb perform as expected when applied
    function; go; work; run.
    • The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in
    • Does this old car still run well?
    • This old radio doesn't work anymore
  3. verb handle and cause to function
    control.
    • do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol
    • control the lever
  4. verb perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
    maneuver; manoeuvre; manoeuver.
  5. verb happen
    • What is going on in the minds of the people?
  6. verb keep engaged
    lock; engage; mesh.
    • engaged the gears
  7. verb perform surgery on
    operate on.
    • The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life

WordNet

Op"er*ate intransitive verb
Etymology
L. operatus, p.p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to G. üben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. fa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver, Ure.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Operated ; present participle & verbal noun Operating
Definitions
  1. To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strengh, physical or mechanical; to act.
  2. To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take appropriate effect on the human system.
  3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.
    The virtues of private persons operate but on a few. Atterbury.
    A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they live. Swift.
  4. (Surg.) To perform some manual act upon a human body in a methodical manner, and usually with instruments, with a view to restore soundness or health, as in amputation, lithotomy, etc.
  5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits. Brokers' Cant
Op"er*ate transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To produce, as an effect; to cause.
    The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock. A. Hamilton.
  2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.

Webster 1913