operate
verb (used without object)
to work, perform, or function, as a machine does.
were operating
-
past progressiveof operate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
By comparison, only 937 daily newspapers were operating, according to Northwestern University's Local News Initiative.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
He also added the territory was facing a humanitarian and security emergency, warning that reception centres for unaccompanied minors were operating at several times their intended capacity, according to Reuters.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Mathieu Choinière pumped his fists as though he were operating a handcrank.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
“We’ve known for years that the dark fleet posed significant physical risks, because we knew they were operating old ships, they weren’t maintaining them,” said Rear Adm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
In that case, decided in 1886, the Court unanimously overturned convictions of two Chinese men who were operating laundries without a license.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
