Definition of: operator

(op′ə·rā′tər) noun
1. One who operates; any skilled worker; specifically, one who works a telephone switchboard, one who receives or sends messages on a telegraph, or one who works a typesetting machine.
2. A broker who acts for others in trading in speculative securities.
3. The owner and director of a coal mine, oil field, or other large industrial organization.
4. Math. A symbol that briefly indicates a mathematical process. See synonyms under AGENT.