Operate Meaning
Operate Definition & Usage
To control or manage the functioning of something, such as machinery, vehicles, or systems.
Examples
- "He learned to operate the new software quickly."
- "She operates a small bakery downtown."
- "Can you operate the printer from here?"
- "The technician will operate the control panel during the test."
- "Farmers operate large machinery to harvest crops."
To perform a surgical or medical procedure, typically to treat illness or injury.
Examples
- "The doctor will operate to remove the tumor."
- "After a thorough examination, the surgeon decided to operate."
- "She had to operate on a patient who had suffered severe injuries."
- "The team operated for over three hours to save the patient's life."
- "A highly skilled surgeon operates in this hospital."
To manage or run the activities of a business or organization.
Examples
- "She operates a successful online business selling handmade jewelry."
- "They operate in several countries around the world."
- "The company operates with a strong emphasis on sustainability."
- "How long has he been operating this restaurant?"
- "He operates the team with great leadership and efficiency."
To act or cause events to unfold in a particular way, often in a strategic or controlling manner.
Examples
- "The government operates behind the scenes to ensure the law is followed."
- "He operates on the belief that communication is key to success."
- "The group operated as a single unit to achieve their goals."
- "In many ways, the company operates as an invisible force in the industry."
- "She operates with a quiet but powerful influence over the team."
Cultural Context
The word 'operate' has a broad range of uses, many of which stem from its historical roots in labor and mechanics. From managing machines to performing medical procedures, the word has evolved into a term that can describe any action requiring control or expertise.
The Operation
Story
The Operation
Dr. Sarah Matthews had always been a meticulous surgeon. Today, however, the pressure was higher than usual. She was about to operate on a young girl who had been in a serious car accident. The surgery was delicate, and there was little room for error. As she scrubbed in, her mind ran through the steps of the procedure. She had operated on similar cases, but each one felt unique. The team's coordination would be key to a successful outcome. In the operating room, Sarah’s focus was absolute. The patient lay unconscious, her vital signs stable, but Sarah knew that the next few hours would determine her future. With steady hands, she began to operate, carefully making each incision. The process was exhausting, but it was what Sarah had trained for. She operated on instinct, trusting in years of experience and the tools at her disposal. Meanwhile, outside the operating room, Sarah's colleague, Dr. Peters, was operating on a different level. He ran the hospital's emergency response system, ensuring that resources were allocated to where they were needed most. As the head of operations for the trauma department, he oversaw the flow of cases and kept everything running smoothly. In his world, 'operation' was more about coordination and leadership, less about the physical precision that Sarah required in the operating room. Hours later, Sarah’s operation was complete. The young girl was stable, and the procedure had been a success. As she removed her gloves and gown, Sarah smiled, knowing that both the medical and operational sides of the hospital had worked seamlessly together. Her role was to operate on the body, while Dr. Peters operated in the background, ensuring that the system itself ran without a hitch.
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