operator

A person or company that controls a machine or runs a service.

• The crane operator stopped work.
• Our tour operator arranged the hotel.
• Only trained operators may use this equipment.

How to use it: operator of something (The operator of the ferry cancelled the crossing.)

Common phrases: machine operator, tour operator, network operator

A person who connects telephone calls or helps people making calls.

• Ask the operator for help.
• The operator connected me to the hospital.
• A switchboard operator answered all incoming calls.

Similar words: telephonist

Common phrases: telephone operator, switchboard operator, ask the operator

A sign that tells you to do something with numbers, such as add or divide them.

• The plus sign is an operator.
• Choose the correct operator to complete the calculation.
• These operators tell us how to combine the numbers.

Common phrases: arithmetic operator, division operator, plus operator

In grammar theory, an expression linked to a variable elsewhere in a sentence, often a question word.

• The operator binds a variable.
• This analysis places the operator at the front of the clause.
• A null operator links the gap to the noun.

Common phrases: wh operator, null operator, relative operator