Operating Meaning
Operating Definition & Usage
To control or manage the functioning of something, such as a machine, system, or process.
Examples
- "The technician is operating the new printer system."
- "He learned how to operate the machine safely."
- "She has been operating the bakery for over ten years."
- "They are operating a new software platform to improve efficiency."
- "We need someone to operate the projector during the presentation."
To perform surgery or a medical procedure.
Examples
- "The surgeon will be operating on the patient at noon."
- "He has to operate on a critical patient this evening."
- "They are still operating to remove the tumor."
- "The doctor explained that the operation is routine and should go smoothly."
- "She operated for several hours to repair the heart valve."
Currently in active use, or engaged in a process or system that is functioning.
Examples
- "The operating system has been updated to the latest version."
- "The company’s operating procedures were revised last week."
- "The operating budget was carefully planned for the next fiscal year."
- "During the blackout, the emergency lighting system was still operating."
- "The business is operating at full capacity this quarter."
Cultural Context
The word 'operating' derives from the Latin word 'operari,' meaning 'to work' or 'to perform.' Its modern uses are primarily associated with controlling systems or machinery, as well as in medical and business contexts.
The Operator
Story
The Operator
In a quiet suburban neighborhood, there was a small, family-owned bakery that had been operating for over two decades. Maria, the current owner, took pride in running the shop. Every morning, she operated the machines herself—grinding the flour, setting the oven temperature, and preparing the dough by hand. As the hours passed, the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, drawing customers into the cozy space. But Maria wasn’t just operating a bakery; she was operating a dream passed down from her grandmother. One day, a young entrepreneur named Alex came in to learn how to operate the bakery’s old dough machine. He was fascinated by the precision with which Maria handled every piece of equipment. As she showed him how to operate the machine, she explained that it wasn’t just about turning knobs and pressing buttons. "You need to feel the rhythm of the process," she said. Later that afternoon, a call came in from the hospital. Maria’s grandmother had been rushed in for an emergency surgery. She had to perform an operation to remove a growth in her grandmother’s heart. As she rushed to the hospital, Maria reflected on how much her own life mirrored the words her grandmother had once told her: "Operating isn’t just about managing—it’s about taking action when it matters most." When Maria arrived at the hospital, the surgeon was operating on her grandmother. The surgery went smoothly, and soon Maria could return to running her bakery, continuing her grandmother’s legacy of operating a place that brought warmth and joy to the community. In this moment, Maria realized that operating wasn’t just about machinery or running a business. It was about making sure everything functioned together in harmony, whether it was dough in the kitchen or a heart in the operating room.
Related Words
