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

After each deposit, investigators said there were ATM withdrawals at Rivers Casino and casinos in Atlantic City, transactions at online gambling sites and Zelle transfers to herself. — CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Whereas traditional web traffic used to make or break an online business, AI agents that scour the corners of the internet for the best deals are becoming more prevalent. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

The couple appeared at an event to discuss child online safety in Brussels, where Harry delivered a speech at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation commemorating children who died as a result of suffering harm on social media. — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026

The products were sold nationwide through online retailer Lowlands House, according to the USDA. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 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