1 [with object] (of a person) control the functioning of (a machine, process, or system):the Prime Minister operates a system of divide and rule
[no object, with adverbial] (of a machine, process, or system) function in a specified manner:market forces were allowed to operate freely
manage (a business):many foreign companies operate factories in the United States
[no object, with adverbial] (of an organization) be managed in a specified way or from a specified place:neither company had operated within the terms of its constitution
[no object, with adverbial] (of an armed force) conduct military activities in a specified area:the mountain bases from which the guerrillas were operating
2 [no object] be in effect:there is a powerful law which operates in politics
3 [no object] perform a surgical operation:my brother had to be operated on last week
