To control the functioning of a machine, process, or system. She learned how to operate the new machinery at the factory.
To perform a surgical procedure. The surgeon will operate on the patient tomorrow morning.
To conduct or manage a business or organization. They operate a small family-owned restaurant in the city.
To function or have an effect. The new policy will operate to improve efficiency in the department.
To carry out a mathematical or logical operation on (data, numbers, etc.) The algorithm operates on complex matrices to calculate the determinant.