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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new streaming channel delivers an always-on sports viewing experience, with more than 50 hours of new Spanish-language content weekly, including original programming, live shows and select live sporting events. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2025 On-demand protection is more affordable and is typically triggered by traffic anomalies or alerts, but its response time can be unacceptably slow, often worse than the three-minute reaction time in the always-on scenario mentioned earlier. Alexander Krizhanovsky, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 This means each of the upcoming models could come with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates and always-on display (AOD) features—something Apple has restricted to the Pro models so far. PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2025 Their always-on favorites include seitan asada tacos and Cubanos substituting jackfruit lechón for pork, alongside a playful cocktail menu that boasts rum, mezcal, cachaça, and tequila drinks like the pineapple–guava–passion fruit Beach Bunny, and NA sippers like the Flora 75. Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.

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