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

“This extra measure means the television audience will see the full, unedited interview on CBS and we will continue our practice of posting full transcripts and the unedited video online.”

From Los Angeles Times

Spending less than an hour during work browsing properties or shopping online is not a sackable offence, a UK judge has ruled.

From BBC

The European Commission said on Friday the tech giant had breached competition laws by favouring its own products for displaying online ads, to the detriment of rivals.

From BBC

After a bit of analysis comes the humor, which should be sharp but cunning, never the obvious punchline that you might see online or hear tossed out in the office kitchen.

From Salon

The footage, which first appeared online on 31 August, mirrors similar demolitions carried out by Israeli forces in southern Gaza.

From BBC