operating
Americanadjective
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used or engaged in performing operations.
an operating surgeon.
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of, for, or pertaining to operations.
an operating budget.
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of or relating to the proper operation of a machine, appliance, etc..
a manual of operating instructions.
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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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of operating
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.
While physical retail operates on razor-thin operating margins, often 2% to 3% for grocery items, digital advertising can boast profit margins of 70% to 90%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Clifton’s, the famed institution that dates to 1935, once a Depression-era oasis designed to look like a woodsy, Northern California lodge, has quietly started operating again after years of post-pandemic fits and starts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
An operating margin of C$6.94 billion was 8% higher than the analyst expected and adjusted funds flow of C$5.52 billion 9% higher.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
McNabb, who is currently chief operating officer, has said she will be focused on company-wide sales revival and cost cutting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
A few minutes later I’m lying on the operating table, the room dim except for the blinding light directly above my head.
From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
