Definitions for operate
ˈɒp əˌreɪtop·er·ate

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. operate, run(verb)

   direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.

   "She is running a relief operation in the Sudan"

2. function, work, operate, go, run(verb)

   perform as expected when applied

   "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. operate, control(verb)

   handle and cause to function

   "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever"

4. manoeuver, maneuver, manoeuvre, operate(verb)

   perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense

5. operate(verb)

   happen

   "What is going on in the minds of the people?"

6. engage, mesh, lock, operate(verb)

   keep engaged

   "engaged the gears"

7. operate on, operate(verb)

   perform surgery on

   "The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life"

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. operate(Verb)

   To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

2. operate(Verb)

   To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take appropriate effect on the human system.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

3. operate(Verb)

   To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

4. operate(Verb)

   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.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

5. operate(Verb)

   To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

6. operate(Verb)

   To produce, as an effect; to cause.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

7. operate(Verb)

   To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.

   Etymology: From operatus, past participle of operari, from opus, operis.

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Operate

   "Operate" is a Dance-punk song written and recorded by Peaches. The song was released as a double limited vinyl A-side with "Shake Yer Dix" to promote the release of her second studio album Fatherfucker.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Operate

   op′ėr-āt, v.i. to work: to exert strength: to produce any effect: to exert moral power: (med.) to take effect upon the human system: (surg.) to perform some unusual act upon the body with the hand or an instrument.—v.t. to effect: to produce by agency.—n. Operam′eter, an instrument for indicating the number of movements made by a part of a machine.—adj. Op′erant, operative.—n. an operator.—n. Operā′tion, art or process of operating, or of being at work: that which is done or carried out: agency: influence: method of working: action or movements: surgical performance.—adj. Op′erātive, having the power of operating or acting: exerting force: producing effects: efficacious.—n. a workman in a manufactory: a labourer.—adv. Op′erātively.—ns. Op′erātiveness; Op′erātor, one who, or that which, operates or produces an effect: (math.) a letter, &c., signifying an operation to be performed. [L. operāri, -ātus—opera, work, closely conn. with opus, operis, work.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'operate' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2552

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'operate' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3144

3. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'operate' in Verbs Frequency: #225

How to pronounce operate?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say operate in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of operate in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of operate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of operate in a Sentence

1. Sipho P Nkosi:

   This is just a trial, the worse days are still coming and none on earth will operate beside soldiers.

2. Claude Lévi-Strauss:

   I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact.

3. Michelle Myles:

   Tattooers really understand the need for protective equipment, we already operate with an awareness of bloodborne pathogens and cross-contamination, and so we take a lot of precautions anyway in our day-to-day operations.

4. Michelle Obama:

   Michelle Obama can't set up a system in which Michelle Obama don't compromise on anything, but Michelle Obama also can't operate in a system where Michelle Obama compromise on everything.

5. Chief Financial Officer Tom Szlosek:

   I would n’t say that we’re out to cut costs, we’re out to operate our enterprise more efficiently, and in a more economic way.

Images & Illustrations of operate

Popularity rank by frequency of use