1. past tense and past participle of operate; controlled or ran a machine, device, or system
2. past tense and past participle of operate; performed surgery on a patient
Usage: medical
3. past tense and past participle of operate; functioned or worked in a particular way

Examples

• She operated the heavy machinery with great skill.
• The surgeon operated on the patient for three hours.
• The old computer operated slowly but reliably.
• They operated a successful restaurant for twenty years.
• The remote control operated the television from across the room.
• The company operated in twelve different countries.
• He operated the forklift carefully in the warehouse.