Dictionary
operator
noun op·er·a·tor \ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər, ˈä-ˌprā-\
: 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
Full Definition of OPERATOR
1
: one that operates: 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
— op·er·a·tor·less adjective
See operator defined for English-language learners
See operator defined for kids
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First Known Use of OPERATOR
1611
Rhymes with OPERATOR
abdicator, abnegator, activator, actuator, adulator, advocator, agitator, alligator, allocator, animator, annotator, applicator, arbitrator, aspirator, aviator, brachiator, buccinator, calculator, calibrator, captivator, carburetor, castigator, circulator, commentator, commutator, compensator, compurgator, concentrator, confiscator, congregator, consecrator, consummator, contemplator, corporator, correlator, cultivator, decorator, defalcator, delegator, demonstrator, denigrator, depredator, desecrater, designator, detonator, deviator, dissipater, dominator, dura mater, educator, elevator, emulator, escalator, estimator, excavator, explicator, expurgator, extirpator, fabricator, fascinator, figure skater, flocculator, formulator, fornicator, fractionator, fumigator, generator, gladiator, hesitater, hibernator, imitator, immolator, impregnator, incubator, indicator, infiltrator, in-line skater, innovator, inhalator, inspirator, instigator, insulator, integrator, lacrimator, liberator, liquidator, literator, lubricator, macerator, masticator, mediator, mitigator, moderator, modulator, motivator, mutilator, navigator, nomenclator, nominator, numerator, obturator, orchestrator, oscillator, peculator, percolator, perforator, perpetrator, pia mater, pollinator, postulator, procreator, procurator, promulgator, propagator, punctuator, radiator, re-creator, remonstrator, renovator, resonator, respirator, revelator, roller skater, rubricator, rusticator, salivator, second-rater, selling-plater, separator, simulator, stimulator, subjugator, Sunset Crater, syncopator, syndicator, tabulator, terminator, vaccinator, vacillator, valuator, venerator, ventilator, vindicator, violator, vitiator
OPERATOR Defined for Kids
operator
noun op·er·a·tor \ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər\
Definition of OPERATOR for Kids
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
Medical Dictionary
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 operon
Learn More About OPERATOR
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