Meaning of operator In English

• 0 someone whose job is to use and control a machine or vehicle:

  • a computer operator

  • a tour operator

  • He has shown himself to be a canny operator in wage negotiations.

• 1 a symbol that does something to a number or quantity in a calculation. For example, in 7 + y, the symbol + is the operator

• 2 a person who makes something work or puts something into action:

  • a computer/machine operator

  • Dial or press zero for the operator.

  • He’s a smooth operator.

• 3 someone whose job is to use and control a machine, vehicle, or piece of equipment:

  • a camera/crane/forklift operator

  • The system lets you talk directly to a call centre operator.

• 4 a company that runs a particular type of business:

  • a cable/mobile-phone/hotel operator

  • The company is the owner and operator of several radio stations.

• 5 a person who connects people on a phone system:

  • a switchboard operator

  • He worked as a 911 operator with the Cincinnati Police Department.

• 6 a person who deals with people or problems in a clever way, especially for their own advantage:

  • He has shown himself to be a clever operator in wage negotiations.