online

or on-line, on line

[ on-lahyn, awn- ]

adjective

1. operating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer.
2. connected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the internet.
3. of or denoting a business that transmits electronic information over telecommunications lines:

   an online bookstore.

4. available or operating on a computer or computer network:

   an online dictionary.

5. by means of or using a computer:

   online shopping.

6. Radio. (of a network) supplying affiliated stations with all or a substantial part of their programming.
7. Television. of or relating to the final editing of a videotaped program.
8. done or accomplished while in operation or active service:

   online maintenance.

9. located on major routes or rail lines:

   online industries.

adverb

1. with or through a computer, especially over a network.

online

/ ˈɒnˌlaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with a peripheral device that is directly connected to and controlled by the central processing unit of a computer
2. of or relating to the internet

   online shopping

3. occurring as part of, or involving, a continuous sequence of operations, such as a production line

adverb

1. while connected to a computer or the internet

online

/ ŏn′līn′ /

1. Connected to or accessible by means of a computer or computer network.

online

1. A term referring to locations on or use of the Internet . The term can be used to refer to a specific location or Web page (“Our sales catalogues can be found online at — ”) or to a personal activity (“I went online to find the information you wanted.”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of online¹

First recorded in 1915–20 (in sense “located on rail lines”); 1945–50 for other senses

Example Sentences

It is published in advance online form in Psychological Science.

From Science Daily

Candle Co. and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will feature 20% off custom prints, which extends to online purchases.

From Los Angeles Times

Alvarez has been acting, writing, directing and producing songs, sketches and series for years online.

From Los Angeles Times

DWP shares real-time monitoring of methane levels at the station in an online dashboard, which has shown no leaks since modified packing seals were installed in December 2020, the spokesperson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Once bustling with city employees — and residents needing city services — these few blocks lying in the shadow of City Hall have been made desolate by telecommuting options and online access to municipal departments.

From Los Angeles Times