on line

1 of 2

phrase

: in or into operation

bringing the new factory on line

online

2 of 2

adjective

on·​line ˈȯn-ˈlīn  ˈän-ˈlīn 

: connected to, served by, or available through a system and especially a computer or telecommunications system (such as the Internet)

an online database

also : done while connected to such a system

online shopping

online games

online searching

online adverb

Examples of on line in a Sentence

Adjective

The city libraries are all online.

He likes to engage in online chats.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While some social media users believe loneliness creators encourage self-love, some online users and experts criticize them for encouraging isolation amid a time when the World Health Organization has made loneliness a global health priority. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

The left-wing online pundit has sparked controversy over comments critics have condemned as antisemitic, as well as his views on the 9/11 terrorist attacks. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

British online fashion retailer Asos has named Jon Bennett menswear product director for Asos Design, tasking the retail veteran with overseeing the strategy and performance of its in-house menswear business. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Navigating the pitfalls of online communication — crafting the perfect message, sifting through the endless stack of profiles — can compound the feeling. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing on line

• massively multiplayer online game

Rhymes for on line

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

Kids Definition

online

adjective

ˈȯn-ˈlīn, 

ˈän-

: relating to or connected to a computer or telecommunications system (as the Internet)

an online database

online adverb