online

American  

[on-lahyn, awn-] / ˈɒnˈlaɪn, ˈɔn- /

Or on-line,

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ ŏn′līn′ /

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

---

online Cultural  

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.”)

---

Etymology

Origin of online

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

Example Sentences

The law graduate had also met Los Angeles resident Jonathan Renteria, 25, online through a shared interest in martial arts.

From BBC

He has also channeled his experiences to launch Awear, an online marketplace that features what it calls “non-toxic brands,” specializing in everyday goods such as hygiene products and clothing.

From Los Angeles Times

In his explanation of the cuts, Murray said that the paper's online traffic had plummeted in the last three years amid the artificial intelligence boom, and that it was "too rooted in a different era".

From BBC

Having access to an online “My Social Security” account also prevents scammers from creating one first.

From MarketWatch

Having access to an online “My Social Security” account also prevents scammers from creating one first.

From MarketWatch