operator
UK: ˈɒpəreɪtə | US: ˈɑːpəreɪtər
n. a person who operates equipment or machinery
n. a company that provides a particular service (e.g., telecommunications)
n. (mathematics) a symbol or function representing an operation (e.g., +, −)
operate<work> + or<agent noun suffix>
- operate: From Latin operari ("to work"), derived from opus ("work").
- or: A suffix denoting a person or thing that performs an action (e.g., "actor," "creator").
Etymology Origin:
The word "operator" traces back to Latin operari ("to work"), reflecting its core meaning of performing tasks. The suffix -or (from Latin -tor) was added to form an agent noun, indicating someone who carries out an action. Over time, "operator" expanded from manual labor contexts (e.g., machine operators) to technical and service roles (e.g., phone operators, mathematical operators).
The crane operator skillfully lifted the heavy load.
The telecom operator announced a new data plan.
In programming, the "==" operator checks for equality.
She trained as a switchboard operator in the 1980s.
The tour operator arranged flights and accommodations.