Definition of OPERATOR

b

: a shrewd and skillful person who knows how to circumvent restrictions or difficulties

: 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

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 Web

Fashion operators will be particularly busy, as the week is shaping up to be a packed one, featuring a total of 153 events including 56 physical shows, six digital ones and roughly 70 presentations. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 5 Feb. 2025 Officers are working with metal recycle yards to crack down on thefts, White said, noting operators are eager to cooperate. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2025 If the aircraft inadvertently collects intel on American citizens who may live at the border or who are crossing at legal check points, operators are required to erase such data. —Jennifer Griffin, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025 Ferry and commercial flight operators have added services to accommodate departures. —Derek Gatopoulos, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for operator 

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin operātor "worker, producer," from operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -tor, agent suffix — more at operate

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of operator was in 1598