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Definition of operator noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

operator

noun
 
 
/ˈɒpəreɪtə(r)/
 
/ˈɑːpəreɪtər/
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  1.  
    (often in compounds) a person who operates equipment or a machine
    • a computer/machine operator
    see also camera operator, system operatorTopics Jobsb2, Businessb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • experienced
    • skilled
    • machine
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
    (often in compounds) a person or company that runs a particular business
    • a tour operator
    • a bus operator
    • a train operator that runs services between London and Scotland
    Topics Holidaysb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • large
    • small
    • …
    See full entry
  3.  
    (British English, old-fashioned telephonist)
    a person who works on the phone switchboard of a large company or organization, especially at a telephone exchange
    • Dial 100 and ask for the operator.
    Topics Phones, email and the internetb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • switchboard
    • telephone
    operator + verb
    • connect somebody
    • put somebody through
    See full entry
  4. (informal, especially disapproving) a person who shows skill at getting what they want, especially when this involves behaving in a dishonest way
    • a smooth/slick/shrewd operator
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • shrewd
    • smooth
    See full entry
  5. (mathematics) a symbol or function which represents an operation in mathematicsTopics Maths and measurementc2
see also Boolean operatorSee operator in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee operator in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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