1
a
—used as a function word to indicate position in contact with and supported by the top surface of
the book is lying on the table
b
—used as a function word to indicate position in or in contact with an outer surface
the fly landed on the ceiling
I have a cut on my finger
paint on the wall
c
—used as a function word to indicate position in close proximity with
a village on the sea
stay on your opponent
d
—used as a function word to indicate the location of something
on the left
on the south side of the house
on the farm
2
a
—used as a function word to indicate a source of attachment or support
on a string
stand on one foot
hang it on a nail
b
—used as a function word to indicate a source of dependence
you can rely on me
feeds on insects
lives on a pension
c
—used as a function word to indicate means of conveyance
on the bus
d
—used as a function word to indicate presence in the possession of
had a knife on him
3
—used as a function word to indicate a time frame during which something takes place
a parade on Sunday
or an instant, action, or occurrence when something begins or is doneon cue
on arriving home, I found your letter
news on the hour
cash on delivery
4
archaic
: of
5
a
—used as a function word to indicate manner of doing something —often used with the
on the sly
keep everything on the up-and-up
b
—used as a function word to indicate means or agency
cut myself on a knife
talk on the telephone
c
—used as a function word to indicate a medium of expression
on stage
best show on television
6
a(1)
—used as a function word to indicate active involvement in a condition or status
on the increase
on the lookout
(2)
: regularly using or showing the effects of using
on drugs
b
—used as a function word to indicate involvement or participation
on tour
on the team
on duty
c
—used as a function word to indicate inclusion
put it on the agenda
d
—used as a function word to indicate position or status in proper relationship with a standard or objective
on schedule
7
a
—used as a function word to indicate reason, ground, or basis (as for an action, opinion, or computation)
I have it on good authority
on one condition
the interest will be 10 cents on the dollar
b
—used as a function word to indicate the cause or source
profited on the sale of stock
c
—used as a function word to indicate the focus of obligation or responsibility
drinks are on the house
put the blame on me
8
a
—used as a function word to indicate the object of collision, opposition, or hostile action
bumped my head on a limb
an attack on religion
pulled a gun on me
b
—used as a function word to indicate the object with respect to some disadvantage, handicap, or detriment
has three inches in height on me
a 3-game lead on the second-place team
the joke's on me
9
a
—used as a function word to indicate destination or the focus of some action, movement, or directed effort
crept up on him
feast your eyes on this
working on my skiing
made a payment on the loan
b
—used as a function word to indicate the focus of feelings, determination, or will
have pity on me
keen on sports
a curse on you
c
—used as a function word to indicate the object with respect to some misfortune or disadvantageous event
the crops died on them
d
—used as a function word to indicate the subject of study, discussion, or consideration
a book on insects
reflect on that a moment
agree on price
e
: with respect to
go light on the salt
short on cash
10
—used as a function word to indicate reduplication or succession in a series
loss on loss
trouble on trouble
1
a
: in or into a position of contact with an upper surface especially so as to be positioned for use or operation
put the plates on
b
: in or into a position of being attached to or covering a surface
especially
: in or into the condition of being worn
put his new shoes on
2
a
: forward or at a more advanced point in space or time
went on home
later on
b
: in continuance or succession
rambled on
and so on
3
: into operation or a position permitting operation
switched the light on
1
: engaged in an activity or function (such as a dramatic role)
2
a(1)
: being in operation
The radio is on.
(2)
: placed so as to permit operation
The switch is on.
b
: taking place or being broadcast
The game is on.
3
: aware of something
—usually used with to
My boss was on to me.
5
British
: talking or harping incessantly
—used with about
6
chiefly British
: regarded as possible or feasible
—usually used in negative constructions
7
a
: engaged in or as if in a performance
The comedian was always on.
b
: being at a high level of performance
: chemical compound not a ketone or other oxo compound
parathion
1
: subatomic particle
nucleon
2
a
: unit : quantum
photon
magneton
b
: basic hereditary component
cistron
operon
: noble gas
radon
Examples of on in a Sentence
Preposition
There is a lot of frosting on the cake.
books on sports heroes are my favorite reading matter
Adverb
We're far on with our project.
I'll come by to help you later on.
Adjective
The lid is on tight.
The band will be on in 10 minutes.
He is on tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Recent Examples on the Web
JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Wuornos' palm print was later found on the inner door handle.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Denver has a pair of young prospects on their practice squad in Patrick Murtagh and Caleb Lohner, a seventh-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but Denver has been seeking more experience at the position.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
The storm first made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast near the town of Black River, seen in part here.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on
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.
Preposition
The performers are shown living their lives on the circus backlot, having relationships, building families, and participating in the performance life and ecosystem of the circus.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Wuornos' palm print was later found on the inner door handle.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Denver has a pair of young prospects on their practice squad in Patrick Murtagh and Caleb Lohner, a seventh-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but Denver has been seeking more experience at the position.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
The storm first made landfall on Jamaica’s southwest coast near the town of Black River, seen in part here.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on
Cite this Entry
“On.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
on
1 of 3 preposition
(ˈ)ȯn 
(ˈ)än
1
a
: in contact with and supported by
the book on the table
b
: in a position in contact with or near
a fly on the wall
a town on the river
c
—used to indicate the location of something
on the other side of the house
on the right
2
a
—used to indicate means of being attached or supported
on a string
stood on one foot
hang your coat on the peg
you can rely on me
lives on insects
b
—used to indicate means of being carried
rode on a horse
went on the bus
have only five dollars on me
3
—used to indicate a time or an instance when something takes place
on arriving home, I found your letter
arrived on Monday
news on the hour
4
a
—used to indicate the way something is done
told her on the sly
b
—used to indicate what something is done with or done by
cut on broken glass
talk on the phone
type on a keyboard
displayed on a TV screen
5
a
: involved with or participating in : busy with
on a committee
on tour
b
: in a state or process of
on fire
on the increase
c
: in keeping with a goal or objective
on schedule
6
a
—used to indicate a reason or basis
on one condition
interest of 10 cents on the dollar
b
—used to indicate who or what is responsible
this treat is on me
blamed it on the weather
7
—used to indicate someone or something an action or feeling is directed toward
was creeping up on us
have pity on me
the joke's on you
8
a
: concerning, about
a book on cats
agree on price
b
: with respect to
go light on the salt
short on cash
9
: following in series
loss on loss
on
2 of 3 adverbˈȯn,
ˈän
1
: in or into contact with a surface
put the kettle on
has new shoes on
2
: forward in space, time, or action
went on home
on came the storm
getting on in years
3
: from one to another
pass the word on
and so on
4
: into operation or a position allowing operation
turn the light on
on
3 of 3 adjectiveˈȯn,
ˈän
1
: doing an activity (as a role in a play)
you're on next
2
a
: being in operation
the radio is on
b
: set so as to permit operation
the switch is on
c
: taking place or being broadcast
the game is on
3
: having been planned
has nothing on for tonight
Medical Definition
on
preposition
: regularly using or showing the effects of using
is on an ACE inhibitor to control hypertension
was on drugs for two years before entering rehab
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