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

But a rapid escalation in oil investments in Venezuela isn’t in the cards, even for Chevron, the only U.S. oil company operating in the oil-rich Latin American country, people close to the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a now-routine pattern, Chinese buyers pay for Iranian oil with funds that flow into U.A.E. bank accounts through a maze of shell companies operating abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal

Earlier, a baby girl was declared dead at another hospital after she was evacuated along with dozens of other children from the daycare centre, which media reports said had been operating without a license.

From Barron's

For aircraft operating at 30,000 feet or vehicles navigating combat zones, early failure detection can be the difference between mission success and catastrophic loss.

From Science Daily

“I think it’s in intensive care, and I don’t think it will leave the operating room,” said Enrique Krauze, a Mexican historian who wrote a biography of Chávez.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• operational
• running
• working