: 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
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 WebSome Northern California cities appear to have instituted blackouts on Tuesday in error after a miscommunication with the operator of the state electric grid, the California Independent System Operator, amid the historic heat wave. Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Sep. 2022 Family members witnessed the attack and, along with a tour operator, pulled her from the water and took her by boat to Fort Montagu on Nassau, Skippings said. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 Haywood told board members he's made progress on the project, including discussions with a hotel operator, and restaurant operators. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2022 Typically, companies partner with an EV charging network operator or e-mobility service provider that offers end-to-end solutions for planning, site preparation, installation and operation of the EV chargers. Doron Frenkel, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 Sidney Wolf, 43, of Clarksburg, Md., was hit by a car on the Coastal Highway Sunday after he and his friends were told to leave a Lyft vehicle following a disagreement with its operator, police said. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 North County agency has contracted with private operator since 2010 North County Transit District, which has used a contracting company for bus drivers since 2010, could return to in-house drivers in an effort to solve its labor shortage. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2022 Permits are required and all visitors must walk with a licensed operator, in a bid to help local communities benefit from tourism. Joe Minihane, CNN, 14 July 2022 If a score drops too low, Ford stops that charger from showing up in the Ford Pass network and has words with its operator to get things fixed. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Late Latin operātor "worker, producer," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -tor, agent suffix — more at operate