operator

/ˈɒpəreɪtər/ noun [C]

Definition

› someone whose job is to use and control a machine, vehicle, or piece of equipment: a camera/crane/forklift operator The system lets you talk directly to a call centre operator.

› a company that runs a particular type of business: a cable/mobile-phone/hotel operator The company is the owner and operator of several radio stations.

› COMMUNICATIONS a person who connects people on a phone system: a switchboard operator He worked as a 911 operator with the Cincinnati Police Department.

a smooth/slick/clever operator informal › a person who deals with people or problems in a clever way, especially for their own advantage: He has shown himself to be a clever operator in wage negotiations.

→ See also owner-operator, tour operator

(Definition of operator noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)