online

Or 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

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

Most viewers were on Team Conrad, with feelings running so high that Amazon and creator Jenny Han recently told fans to stop sending the cast members abuse online.

From BBC

As a result, the agency mandated that such changes had to be made in person or online.

From Los Angeles Times

Since his killing, conservatives have demanded the firing of people who posted online comments about Kirk they considered offensive.

From Los Angeles Times

To be fair, a lot of us have been slow on the uptake when it comes to understanding why so many young men seem drawn to the obvious loneliness and disconnection of chronically online lives.

From Los Angeles Times

The online database generated harassment campaigns against professors, leading to calls for firings, hate mail and death threats.

From Salon