Online

//ˈɒnlaɪn// adj, adv, verb, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.; Of a generator or power plant: connected to the grid.
  2. 2
    Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.; Of a computer: actively connected to the Internet or to some other communications service.

    "Is this modem online?"

  3. 3
    Available over, or delivered from, the Internet.

    "In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result. If the bumf arrived electronically, the take-up rate was 0.1%. And for online adverts the “conversion” into sales was a minuscule 0.01%."

  4. 4
    Connected to the Internet.

    "I'll be online tonight, so I'll be able to reply to your email."

  5. 5
    Available on a computer system, even if not networked.

    "Press the F1 key to access the online help."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    Of a system: active, particularly building facilities (such as power) or a factory or power plant.

    "The power is online."

  2. 7
    Immersed in Internet culture. (Usually modified by an intensifier such as extremely or terminally) slang

    "terminally online"

Adjective
  1. 1
    being in progress now wordnet
  2. 2
    connected to a computer network or accessible by computer wordnet
  3. 3
    on a regular route of a railroad or bus or airline system wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    While online; while in a running or active state, or connected to the Internet. not-comparable

    "He works online."

Adverb
  1. 1
    through a computer or a computer network wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To bring (a system, etc.) online; to promote to an active or running state. transitive

    "The output in Listing 8-2 shows your disk group status prior to onlining the disks, the commands to online your disks, and the status after onlining."

Etymology

Etymology 1

1950, from on + line.

Etymology 2

1950, from on + line.

Etymology 3

1950, from on + line.

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