operateverb
uk/ˈɒp.ər.eɪt/us/ˈɑː.pə.reɪt/operate verb (WORK)
B2 [ I or T ] to (cause to) work, be in action or have an effect:
How do you operate the remote control unit?
Does the company operate a pension scheme?
For several years she operated a dating agency from her basement.
Changes are being introduced to make the department operate more efficiently.
Specially equipped troops are operating in the hills.
We have representatives operating in most countries.
Exchange rates are currently operating to the advantage of exporters.
More examples
- The video provides instruction on how to operate the computer.
- This sewing machine is operated by a foot pedal.
- The legal system operates very differently in the US and Britain.
- Terrorists have been operating covertly in England for several years.
- The scheme is simple and cheap to operate.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Machines - Functioning
- asthmatically
- faulty
- fire sth up
- function as sth/sb
- functionally
- operation
- operational
- operative
- order
- pack
- pack up
- peg
- perform
- play up
- right
- roll
- start
- start (sth) up
- torpor
- work
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Performing a function
operate verb (MEDICAL PROCESS)
B1 [ I ] to cut a body open for medical reasons in order to repair, remove, or replace an unhealthy or damaged part:
If the growth gets any bigger they'll have to operate.
Are they going to operate on him?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Medical treatment: surgery
- ablate
- adrenalectomy
- anaesthesiology
- anastomose
- anesthesiology
- circumcise
- collagen
- eviscerate
- facelift
- frontal lobotomy
- implant
- keyhole surgery
- laminectomy
- laparoscopic
- laparoscopy
- laparotomy
- ligation
- nose job
- pump out sth
- transplant
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