o pen-to p also open-topped ADJ [ADJ n] An open-top bus has no roof, so that the people sitting on the top level can see or be seen more easily. An open-top car has no roof or has a roof that can be removed. □ The team drove through the streets of Leeds city centre in an open-top bus.
O pen Uni|ve r|sity N‑PROPER In Britain, the Open University is a university that runs degree courses online and using the radio and television, for students who want to study part-time or mainly at home.
op|era ◆◇◇ /ɒ pərə/ (operas )
1 N‑VAR An opera is a play with music in which all the words are sung. □ [+ about ] …a one-act opera about contemporary women in America. □ …an opera singer. □ He was also learned in classical music with a great love of opera.
2 → see also soap opera
o p|era house (opera houses ) N‑COUNT An opera house is a theatre that is specially designed for the performance of operas. □ …Sydney Opera House.
op|eran|di /ɒpəræ nda I / → see modus operandi
op|er|ate ◆◆◆ /ɒ pəre I t/ (operates , operating , operated )
1 VERB If you operate a business or organization, you work to keep it running properly. If a business or organization operates , it carries out its work. □ [V n] Until his death in 1986, Greenwood owned and operated an enormous pear orchard. □ [V ] …allowing commercial banks to operate in the country. □ [V -ing] Operating costs jumped from £85.3m to £95m. ● op|era|tion /ɒ pəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Company finance is to provide funds for the everyday operation of the business.
2 VERB The way that something operates is the way that it works or has a particular effect. □ [V adv/prep] Ceiling and wall lights can operate independently. □ [V adv] The world of work doesn't operate that way. ● op|era|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the operation of the benefit system.
3 VERB When you operate a machine or device, or when it operates , you make it work. □ [V n] A massive rock fall trapped the men as they operated a tunnelling machine. □ [V ] The number of these machines operating around the world has now reached ten million. ● op|era|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …over 1,000 dials monitoring every aspect of the operation of the aeroplane.
4 VERB When surgeons operate on a patient in a hospital, they cut open a patient's body in order to remove, replace, or repair a diseased or damaged part. □ [V + on ] The surgeon who operated on the King released new details of his injuries. □ [V ] You examine a patient and then you decide whether or not to operate.
5 VERB If military forces are operating in a particular region, they are in that place in order to carry out their orders. □ [V prep] Up to ten thousand soldiers are operating in the area. SYNONYMS operate VERB
1
run: His stepfather ran a prosperous paint business.
manage: Within two years he was managing the store.
controclass="underline" He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California.
2
function: The machine is functioning normally.
work: The pump doesn't work and we have no running water.
3
work: Do you know how to work this washing machine?
controclass="underline" …a computerised system to control the gates.
op|er|at|ic /ɒ pəræ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Operatic means relating to opera. □ …the local amateur operatic society.
op|er|at|ing /ɒ pəre I t I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Operating profits and costs are the money that a company earns and spends in carrying out its ordinary trading activities, in contrast to such things as interest and investment. [BUSINESS ] □ The group made operating profits of £80m before interest.
o p|er|at|ing room (operating rooms ) N‑COUNT An operating room is the same as an operating theatre . [AM ]
o p|er|at|ing sys|tem (operating systems ) N‑COUNT The operating system of a computer is its most basic program, which it needs in order to function and run other programs. [COMPUTING ]
o p|er|at|ing ta|ble (operating tables ) N‑COUNT An operating table is a table which a patient in a hospital lies on during a surgical operation.
o p|er|at|ing thea|tre (operating theatres ) N‑COUNT An operating theatre is a special room in a hospital where surgeons carry out medical operations. [BRIT ] in AM, use operating room
op|era|tion ◆◆◆ /ɒ pəre I ʃ ə n/ (operations )
1 N‑COUNT An operation is a highly organized activity that involves many people doing different things. □ The rescue operation began on Friday afternoon. □ The soldiers were engaged in a military operation close to the border. □ …a police operation against organised crime.
2 N‑COUNT A business or company can be referred to as an operation . [BUSINESS ] □ Thorn's electronics operation employs around 5,000 people. □ The two parent groups now run their business as a single combined operation.
3 N‑COUNT When a patient has an operation , a surgeon cuts open their body in order to remove, replace, or repair a diseased or damaged part. □ Charles was at the clinic recovering from an operation on his arm.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [in/out of N ] If a system is in operation , it is being used. □ The scheme is expected to be in operation by the end of March.