on the job

1 of 2

phrase

: at work : while working

was injured on the job

on-the-job

2 of 2

adjective

ˈȯn-ṯẖə-ˈjäb 

: of, relating to, or being something (such as training or experience) learned, gained, or done while working at a job

Examples of on the job in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

Somewhere between 1 in 8 and 1 in 13 people who are heavily exposed to asbestos on the job will develop the cancer later in life. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Only later did the family learn that Watson had been on the job for only hours before the special delivery. — Charles Keeshan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Plus, energy jobs often don’t require a costly college degree—specialized training and on-the-job experience are king. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Many skilled trades, including plumbing, electrical work and HVAC, offer apprenticeship programs that combine paid, on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for on the job

• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• knob
• lob
• mob
• rob

Kids Definition

on-the-job

adjective

: received or learned while working at a job

on-the-job training