operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər 
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
a
: mountebank, fraud
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
The National Park Service has said that if agricultural operators lose their leases there, all people living on those farms and ranches would have to leave.
—
Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Cuba’s state-run grid operator UNE said the high winds had caused the country’s electrical system to collapse.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The cable operator, led by CEO Dennis Mathew, shed 77,000 more video customers during the third quarter, lowering its total video subscriber base to just over 2.1 million Optimum pay TV customers.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operator 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Cuba’s state-run grid operator UNE said the high winds had caused the country’s electrical system to collapse.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The cable operator, led by CEO Dennis Mathew, shed 77,000 more video customers during the third quarter, lowering its total video subscriber base to just over 2.1 million Optimum pay TV customers.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for operator
Dictionary Entries Near operator
Cite this Entry
“Operator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operator. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operator
noun
op·er·a·tor
ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər
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
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 operonLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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