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
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Apple Smartwatch Deals The latest in Apple's budget smartwatch lineup, the Apple Watch 3 SE now offers advanced features including an always-on display, on-device Siri processing, ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, and wrist temperature sensing — while still keeping the price low. PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025 It’s not defined by its shootouts and red-light-always-on entertainment. Sam McDowell 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025 The right technology Kids live in an always-on world. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025 Large, always-on systems use much more energy, raising concerns about their long-term impact on the environment. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for always-on

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Always-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/always-on. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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