operating

[ op-uh-rey-ting ]

/ ˈɒp əˌreɪ tɪŋ /

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adjective

used or engaged in performing operations: an operating surgeon.

of, for, or pertaining to operations: an operating budget.

of or relating to the proper operation of a machine, appliance, etc.: a manual of operating instructions.

Railroads. of, pertaining, or belonging to railroad workers, as engineers or firemen, who are directly engaged in the mechanical operation of trains: an operating union.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of operating

First recorded in 1800–10; operat(e) + -ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM operating

non·op·er·at·ing, adjectiveun·op·er·at·ing, adjective

Words nearby operating

operant conditioning, operant learning, opera seria, operate, operatic, operating, operating budget, operating income, operating room, operating system, operating table

How to use operating in a sentence

SoftBank's Vision Fund went from being in the red, with an annual operating loss of $18 billion at one point, to an $8 billion net profit in its most recent quarter — thanks in no small part to the past year's unexpected events.
How Softbank's VisionFund rode the pandemic to a record $8 billion net profit last quarter|Kia Kokalitcheva|February 12, 2021|Axios
The second relates to increased awareness of how adopting ESG can advance specific business goals they have such as increasing sales, attracting top talent, and reducing operating risks.
European VC funds are building community around ESG initiatives|Richard Dal Porto|February 11, 2021|TechCrunch
The purchase of the Android operating system also allowed Google to push its apps, such as Google Search, YouTube, Gmail, Maps, and more onto nine out of 10 mobile devices sold globally each year.
The future of Google and what it means for search|Pete Eckersley|February 5, 2021|Search Engine Watch
Designers in R&D labs around the world are putting perfect skis on the operating table to strip out precious pounds in order to join the marketing war over who makes the lightest boards.
These New Skis Have Gone Too Far|Kimberly Beekman|February 4, 2021|Outside Online

Apple founder Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, leaving the company to be run by then-chief operating officer Tim Cook.
With Bezos out as Amazon CEO, Zuckerberg is the last man standing|Elizabeth Dwoskin|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
If you answered nine or more, you may have won a SONY Betamax and an eight-track operating system.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two carriers are headquartered in Kuala Lumpur but have vastly different profiles and operating philosophies.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Further, in the Super Tuesday states of Florida, Texas, and Virginia, Paul is operating at a decided disadvantage.
GOP Won’t Forgive Rand for Cop Critique|Lloyd Green|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With Batman and Planet of the Apes, you seem to be operating around 15 years ahead of the culture.
Tim Burton Talks ‘Big Eyes,’ His Taste For the Macabre, and the ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel|Marlow Stern|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
About 50 lawyers from six other regions take part, operating in shifts.
Putin’s Favorite Acolyte Terrorizes Human Rights Activists|Anna Nemtsova|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The obstacles operating against the development of enterprises and employment of foreign capital to be removed.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The bailor is not responsible generally for any negligence of the hirer in operating the car.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
A chauffeur may recover damages from his employer for injuries received while operating his car.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
These actions, operating through a long series of years, are the source of the inorganic constituents of all soils.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
When the steamer dropped down stream and picked up the fugitives, Malcolm learnt that Spurgin was co-operating with Renaud.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy