operating

American  

[op-uh-rey-ting] / ˈɒp əˌreɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. used or engaged in performing operations.

   an operating surgeon.

2. of, for, or pertaining to operations.

   an operating budget.

3. of or relating to the proper operation of a machine, appliance, etc..

   a manual of operating instructions.

4. 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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Other Word Forms

• nonoperating adjective
• unoperating adjective

Etymology

Origin of operating

First recorded in 1800–10; operat(e) + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Conservationists also point to Dateline’s history operating the Colosseum Mine as a source of concern, saying the company flouted National Park Service rules and damaged the surrounding landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

A total deal value of $29.1 billion, including debt, represents a multiple of over 14-times Restaurant Depot’s operating income, the people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Berkshire performance is disappointing since the company is arguably the most defensive mega-cap stock in the market, given its $373 billion of cash and about $45 billion of annual operating income.

From Barron's

The top tier consists of the anti-ballistic missile Arrow systems, with Arrow 2 operating both within the Earth's atmosphere and in space and Arrow 3 intercepting above the Earth's atmosphere.

From Barron's

Paired with modern airborne methods, the old maps can help target and reduce the cost of subsurface mapping—especially due to the difficulty and expense of operating in modern-day Congo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• operational
• running
• working