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# operator

noun (an operator, operators)

«operator» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A person who works a machine or equipment: «a crane operator». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#m1)
2. A person who answers phone calls and connects people, like an emergency operator. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#m2)
3. A company that runs a service: «a tour operator», «a mobile phone operator». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#m3)
4. (maths) A symbol for an operation, like + − × ÷. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#m4)

### In the lessons

In maths: the operators +, −, × and ÷ tell you which operation to do; the order of operations tells you which to do first. In safety: when you call 999, 911, 000 or 111 an emergency operator asks «Which service?» and where you are. Phrases: «emergency operator», «machine operator», «tour operator».

### Examples

- The emergency operator asked for our address. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#x1)
- The crane operator lifted the steel beams. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#x2)
- In 5 + 3, the operator is the plus sign. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#x3)
- Choose the right operator to make the sum true: 6 \_ 2 = 12. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#x4)
- The tour operator organised our trip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#x5)
- Stay calm and listen to the operator. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/#x6)

### Note

«An operator». Verb: operate; noun: operation. In maths, the operation is the action (adding) and the operator is its sign (+). Countable.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «operator» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/operator/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«operator» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/operator.html) on Mova free.