operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
| \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər
, ˈä-ˌprā-\
, ˈä-ˌprā-\
Definition of operator
1
: one that operates: such as
a
: one that operates a machine or device
b
: one that operates a business
c
: one that performs surgical operations
d
: one that deals in stocks or commodities
2a
: mountebank, fraud
b
: a shrewd and skillful person who knows how to circumvent restrictions or difficulties
3a
: something and especially a symbol that denotes or performs a mathematical or logical operation
b
: a mathematical function
4
: a binding site in a DNA chain at which a genetic repressor binds to inhibit the initiation of transcription of messenger RNA by one or more nearby structural genes
— called also operator gene
— compare operonKeep scrolling for more
Examples of operator in a Sentence
the operator of an automobile
the operator of a nuclear power plant
Call the operator for the phone number.
Operator, please connect me with extension 123.
She's quite an operator—no one else could have gotten them all to agree to the project.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The operators have to make a case for closing and a certificate of need would have to be approved. — Josh Kovner, courant.com, "As trend shifts to in-home care, Connecticut cuts funding to nine nursing homes with high vacancy rates," 22 Aug. 2019 After determining that Moreno was the sole operator of the Maxima, police questioned him about Gomez’s death and showed him an image of his vehicle at the motel. — Jacob Beltran, ExpressNews.com, "Google Maps images leads police to vehicle involved in fatal hit-and-run," 21 Aug. 2019 Justice’s father was a coal operator and, as a teenager, Justice played golf at the resort. — Ken Ward Jr., ProPublica, "Welcome to the Greenbrier, the Governor-Owned Luxury Resort Filled With Conflicts of Interest," 15 Aug. 2019 Advantage Jio Jio now boasts of 340 million subscribers and is the country’s largest telecom operator, pipping the likes of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea. — Sangeeta Tanwar, Quartz India, "Reliance Jio’s OTT blitzkrieg needn’t worry rivals—for now," 14 Aug. 2019 However, day care operators would have a list of devices to choose from that have been approved by the state Department of Children and Families. — Andrew Boryga, sun-sentinel.com, "Children keep dying in hot cars as Florida legislators fail to act," 5 Aug. 2019 The news outlet reports that Speck was a push car operator who helps to assist cars that crash or spin out of control. — Matt Mcnulty, PEOPLE.com, "Spectator, 67, Killed After Race Car Flips Over Fence at Pennsylvania Speedway," 3 Aug. 2019 There are also tour operators that package rail routes along with hotels and transfers. — Kaitlin Menza, Town & Country, "Here’s How to Take a Train Trip Through the Swiss Alps," 20 July 2019 Rust’s is a family business founded in 1963 that is the oldest and largest seaplane operator on Lake Hood, according to the company website. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "1 killed, others injured after plane crashes at Tutka Bay near Homer," 20 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'operator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for operator
operator
noun
English Language Learners Definition of operator
: a person who uses and controls something (such as a machine, device, or business) : someone who operates something
: a person whose job is to help to connect telephone calls : a person who is in charge of a telephone switchboard
: a person who is able to easily achieve things especially by persuading people or by being dishonest
See the full definition for operator in the English Language Learners Dictionary
operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
| \ ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər
\
\
Kids Definition of operator
1
: a person who manages or controls something
a plow operator
2
: a person in charge of a telephone switchboard
3
: a person who is skillful at achieving things by persuasion or deception
operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
| \ ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər
\
\
Medical Definition of operator
1
: one (as a dentist or surgeon) who performs surgical operations
2
: a binding site in a DNA chain at which a genetic repressor binds to inhibit the initiation of transcription of messenger RNA by one or more nearby structural genes
— called also operator gene
— compare operonKeep scrolling for more