always-on

adjective

al·​ways-on ˈȯl-wēz-ˈȯn How to pronounce always-on (audio)
-ˈän,
-wəz-,
-(ˌ)wāz-,
 also  ˈȯ-
: always active, operating, or powered
an always-on Internet connection
When a power shortage occurs and electricity costs rise, the always-on devices scattered throughout … your facility consume increasingly expensive power.Gilbert Held

Examples of always-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hotspot Shield's feature list includes always-on VPN mode, a kill switch, and split tunneling for Android, iOS, and ChromeOS users. PCMAG, 4 June 2024 The culprit behind this paradox, which leads to stressful beach time and no emails after 3 p.m, is America’s always-on workaholic culture. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 31 May 2024 That might be a tough sell after the $699 AI Pin’s debut: the device has been widely panned for its slow responses and a user experience that falls well short of the always-on, wearable AI assistant concept that its founders promised in the run-up to the device’s release. Chris Welch, The Verge, 22 May 2024 This isn’t Microsoft’s first time trying an always-on time machine for PCs. Kyle Barr / Gizmodo, Quartz, 21 May 2024 The always-on gadgets that were supposed to make my life easier, more fun, and more productive, now often disrupt my sleep, ruin any semblance of work-life balance, and wipe out my self-esteem. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024 The revamped Disney Plus app could soon feature always-on channels dedicated to Star Wars and Marvel shows, according to a report from The Information. Emma Roth, The Verge, 15 Apr. 2024 In comparison, the Fitbit Charge 6 promises up to a week of battery life on a charge, but drained in just three days with the always-on display enabled in testing. PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024 These chipsets leverage Qualcomm's expertise in mobile technology to deliver always-on connectivity and extended battery life, which is essential for today's mobile workforce. Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'always-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of always-on was in 1976

Dictionary Entries Near always-on

Cite this Entry

“Always-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/always-on. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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