present participle and gerund of operate
"The surgeon explained that operating on his knee would require several hours under anesthesia."
In plain English: To operate means to make something work by using it or controlling its parts.
"The machine is operating smoothly after the repair."
Usage: Use "operating" to describe something that is currently functioning or running, such as a machine or a business system. Avoid using it to mean "surgical," which requires the specific context of medical procedures involving an operating room.
being in effect or operation
"de facto apartheid is still operational even in the `new' African nations"
"bus service is in operation during the emergency"
"the company had several operating divisions"
In operation; that operates.
"The new printer is finally operating without any error messages after we updated the software."
In plain English: Operating means currently working or running, like a machine that is turned on and doing its job.
"The operating system on my phone is very fast."
Usage: Use "operating" to describe something currently running or functioning, such as an operating system or an operating machine. Avoid using it to mean "legal" or "lawful," which is the correct meaning of the adjective "operative."
Derived from the Latin operari meaning "to work," this term originally referred to the act of performing labor or functioning. It later evolved in English to describe the specific management and maintenance of machinery or systems.