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

In an era where online messaging shapes political narratives, Democratic-leaning states are proving that digital platforms can be a weapon against federal overreach, turning routine policy notices into statements of resistance and political commentary.

Read more on Salon

Criminals can find out a lot about you online, including on social media and publicly available databases.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Viv is embracing life as an online fashion content creator who regularly goes viral and is part of a growing number of women in later life turning to Instagram and TikTok to express themselves.

Read more on BBC

Youngsters increasingly include digital assets, such as cryptocurrency, social media accounts and online businesses in their wills, according to Emily Deane from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Read more on BBC

Videos circulated online showing him singing along to her hits "Firework" and "Teenage Dream."

Read more on BBC