# operated

/ˈɑpɝˌeɪtəd/ (US) · /ˈɒpəɹˌeɪtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/operated
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. worked or functioned

verb · CEFR B1

worked or functioned in a particular way.

For teachers: functioned or performed a regular function, often describing a business or a mechanical system.

- The small family business operated out of a garage for ten years.
- The underground network operated in total secrecy for months before the authorities finally intercepted their encrypted communications.

### 2. controlled a machine

verb · CEFR B1

controlled or used a machine or piece of equipment.

For teachers: controlled the functioning of a machine, vehicle, or complex apparatus.

- He operated the heavy crane with great skill on the building site.
- The technician operated the delicate laboratory equipment with a level of precision that only comes from years of specialised training.

### 3. performed surgery

verb · CEFR B2

performed a medical operation on a patient.

For teachers: performed a surgical procedure on a patient to treat a condition.

- The surgeons operated on his knee to fix the sports injury.
- The medical team operated on the casualty for six hours, successfully stabilising her condition despite the severity of the internal injuries.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'on' before the patient or body part.

### 4. powered by

adjective · CEFR B1

powered or controlled by a specific thing, like a battery.

For teachers: functioning by means of a specified power source or control method; almost always used in compound constructions.

- The children played with a battery-operated car in the garden.
- The remote research station relies entirely on solar-operated equipment to monitor the local climate patterns during the summer months.

Usage: Typically appears as the second part of a hyphenated compound adjective.

### 5. having had surgery

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a person or body part that has just had a medical operation.

For teachers: having recently undergone a surgical procedure.

- The nurse checked the operated area for any signs of redness.
- Post-operative care focuses on keeping the operated limb elevated to reduce swelling and encourage faster tissue recovery.

## Examples

- The machine is operated by a foot pedal.
- The charity has operated several food banks in the city center for over a decade.
- The multinational corporation operated under a complex web of subsidiary agreements designed to minimize tax liabilities across several different jurisdictions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.