"operating" in the verb sense

1. operate, run

direct or control projects, businesses, etc.

"She is running a relief operation in the Sudan"

2. function, work, operate, go, run

perform as expected when applied

"The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"

"Does this old car still run well?"

"This old radio doesn't work anymore"

3. operate, control

handle and cause to function

"do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"

"control the lever"

4. manoeuver, maneuver, manoeuvre, operate

perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense

5. engage, mesh, lock, operate

keep engaged

"engaged the gears"

6. operate on, operate

perform surgery on

"The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life"

"operating" in the adjective sense

1. operating

involved in a kind of operation

"the operating conditions of the oxidation pond"

2. operational, in operation, operating

being in effect or operation

"de facto apartheid is still operational even in the `new' African nations"- Leslie Marmon Silko

"bus service is in operation during the emergency"

"the company had several operating divisions"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

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