# operating

/ˈɑpɝˌeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈɒpəɹˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. working or running

verb · CEFR B1

the act of a machine working or a person controlling a machine.

For teachers: the present participle of 'operate', describing the action of a machine functioning or a person controlling its mechanism.

- The factory was operating at full capacity to meet the holiday demand.
- The technician monitored the console while the turbine was operating, ensuring that the vibration levels remained within the safety parameters.

### 2. running a business

verb · CEFR B1

the act of managing or running a business or organization.

For teachers: the present participle of 'operate', referring to the management or conduct of a business, agency, or system.

- The company is now operating in over twenty different countries.
- By operating under a franchise model, the brand was able to expand rapidly across the continent without significant capital investment.

### 3. medical surgery

verb · CEFR B2

the act of a doctor performing surgery on a patient.

For teachers: the present participle of 'operate', specifically referring to the performance of a surgical procedure on a patient.

- The surgeons have been operating for five hours to repair the damage.
- The medical team was operating under extreme pressure, as the patient's vitals began to fluctuate during the delicate neurosurgical procedure.

### 4. functional or in use

adjective · CEFR B2

describes something that is currently working or being used.

For teachers: describing a state of being in action or functional; often used in technical or business contexts.

- The elevator is not in an operating state at the moment.
- The airline's operating costs have risen sharply due to the sudden increase in global fuel prices and airport maintenance fees.

### 5. the process of working

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the way that something works or is managed.

For teachers: the act or process of functioning or conducting a task; used as a gerund noun.

- The smooth operating of the school depends on the staff's hard work.
- The seamless operating of the logistics network is essential for the timely delivery of perishable goods across the region.

## Examples

- The machine is operating at full speed today.
- The new restaurant is currently operating under a limited menu while they train the kitchen staff.
- Despite the severe weather conditions, the airport continued operating throughout the night, though several international flights experienced significant delays.

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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.