Synonyms

operate

American

[op-uh-reyt] / ˈɒp əˌreɪt /

verb (used without object)

to work, perform, or function, as a machine does.

This engine does not operate properly.
to work or use a machine, apparatus, or the like.
to act effectively; produce an effect; exert force or influence (often followed by on orupon ).

Their propaganda is beginning to operate on the minds of the people.
to perform some process of work or treatment.
Surgery. to perform a surgical procedure.
(of a drug) to produce the effect intended.
Military.
1. to carry on operations in war.
2. to give orders and accomplish military acts, as distinguished from doing staff work.
to carry on transactions in securities, or some commodity, especially speculatively or on a large scale.
Informal. to use devious means for one's own gain; insinuate oneself; finagle.

a man who knows how to operate with the ladies.

verb (used with object)

to manage or use (a machine, device, etc.).

Do you know how to operate a forklift?
to put or keep (a factory, industrial system, ranch, etc.) working or in operation.

to operate a coal mine.
to bring about, effect, or produce, as by action or the exertion of force or influence.

operate British

/ ˈɒpəˌreɪt /

verb

to function or cause to function
(tr) to control the functioning of

operate a machine
to manage, direct, run, or pursue (a business, system, etc)
(intr) to perform a surgical operation (upon a person or animal)
(intr) to produce a desired or intended effect
to treat or process in a particular or specific way
(intr) to conduct military or naval operations
(intr) to deal in securities on a stock exchange

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of operate

First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin operātus, past participle of operārī, -āre “to work, be efficacious, effect, produce,” Latin: “to busy oneself,” verbal derivative of opera effort, work, akin to opus “work”; see -ate ¹

Explanation

You'll want to find a skilled surgeon to operate on your hand. Once your hand is working again, you'll be able to operate your buzz saw with ease. Operate comes from a Latin root related to opus, "work," and it's a verb that can be used for all kinds of work. Your computer can operate smoothly, the lottery can operate successfully, your school can operate a day care center in some vacant classrooms, and you can operate your vehicle in a safe manner. If you're an unshakable optimist, your friends may say you "operate in a dream world."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing operate

Space

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Nine Stories

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

operate operates operated operating

The 1951 treaty allowed the U.S. military almost unlimited permission to operate there, as long as it didn’t impinge on Danish sovereignty or freedom of movement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

But amid all the turmoil, veteran news executives inside and outside the companies involved were scratching their heads over exactly how an editorial board would operate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Airports remain closed or severely disrupted across much of North America, while railways, freight depots and farms struggle to operate.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

An MoD spokesperson said: "Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis by specialist clinicians, assessing the severity of any condition and the individual's ability to train, deploy and operate."

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

There, Horace Hunley and his partners intended to operate the submarine as a privateer, helping the Confederacy break the blockade the North had placed on Southern ports.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

The U. S. now operates one base in Greenland, Pituffik Space Base in the island’s northwest, housing roughly 150 troops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

The Welsh Rugby Union, which owns and operates the Principality Stadium, previously indicated it would be delighted to host the fight and confirmed a late-night finish would not be a dealbreaker.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

Udio operates under a “walled garden” model favored by Universal, in which songs made on the platform can’t be downloaded or distributed elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

The company said it currently operates hundreds of electric trucks for major shipping clients across the U.S.,

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

"Come back this instant. You know your father operates in the afternoon; why don't you go to your room and work on stock market reports or whatever you do in there."

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Unlike the traditional pool, however, that outlet is under no obligation to share material with others and has operated unilaterally for its audience.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

This, Cramer would tell me, was true quantum science, not something that operated just “off vibes.”

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

In a 2020 Nature Physics study, Motter's team showed that electrical generators could synchronize more successfully when they operated somewhat differently from one another.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026

Although news helicopters are touted as a cornerstone of local news broadcasts, the aircraft are owned and operated by third-party companies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

“But Stella—she points at the pre-op doors, where somewhere in the distance, Stella is lying on a table about to be operated on—“Stella is fighting for her life in there.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Earlier this month, Lineage sued Altus Power, alleging the company and its contractor were negligent in operating the solar panels.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

Sir Declan, said the 124-page report is a "significant moment", two years after it began operating.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

For fiscal 2027, Smiths said it expects organic revenue growth of about 4% and a headline operating profit margin of around 21%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

You’ll see more people operating on a smaller scale initially, which gives them more time to grow the business and get wealthy.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

With a steady hand on Doha’s back, father and son walked out of the office, past the family weeping in the operating room, and to the front desk where Nurse Cha was sitting.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023