operator

noun

op·​er·​a·​tor ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce operator (audio)
ˈä-ˌprā-
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
2
b
: a shrewd and skillful person who knows how to circumvent restrictions or difficulties
3
a
: 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 operon
operatorless adjective

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.
Recent Examples on the Web Since 2010, Series Mania has grown in synch with the world’s fast-ramping premium cable TV, and then U.S. feeding frenzy for high-end drama, powerful new OTT entrants, and a content-creation reaction among incumbent TV operators and new SVOD players around the world. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 United, the biggest operator of the variant involved in the mishap, temporarily took dozens of planes out of service while federal investigators probed the accident. Siddharth Philip, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Detroit Free Press The former operator of Boyce Hydro and the Edenville Dam, which failed when record rains hit mid-Michigan in 2020, has lost his attempt to declare bankruptcy and avoid paying a $120 million judgment for his role in the catastrophic flooding. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 Federal regulators accused Atlas’ operators of not implementing the proper controls to mitigate pollution from leaving their site. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Those hoping to become franchise operators can now do so without any buy-in requirements; instead, prospective franchisees need only fill out a fairly vague questionnaire. Angela L. Pagán / The Takeout, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Such people are often hired by companies to test their security systems, exposing vulnerabilities before a less scrupulous operator discovers them. Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2024 As a charter-bus operator and a die-hard independent voter in Phoenix, Bj Brooks knows a lot about changing lanes. Jack Healy, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Andrew's oldest son Nicholas followed in his father's footsteps as a composer, beginning his career at age 14 as a tape operator for one of Andrew's albums. Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'operator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operātor "worker, producer," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -tor, agent suffix — more at operate

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of operator was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near operator

Cite this Entry

“Operator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operator. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

operator

noun
op·​er·​a·​tor ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce operator (audio)
1
: a person who operates something
the operator of an automobile
2
: a person in charge of a telephone switchboard

Medical Definition

operator

noun
op·​er·​a·​tor ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce operator (audio)
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 operon
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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