on line

1 of 2

phrase

Synonyms of on linenext
: in or into operation
bringing the new factory on line

online

2 of 2

adjective

: 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
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.
Adjective
And then there’s the online bickering as Americans and Europeans on social media can’t seem to stop going after each other about everything from the weather to the quality of each other’s stadiums. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026 Contrary to some online sentiment, Martinez still fervently believes Portugal are closer to starting a goal up than a man down when playing Ronaldo. James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2026 Collins has proved to be a hard target for Democrats, even in the case of candidates without the baggage of Platner, who has faced criticism for his relationships with women, for his inflammatory online posts and for a previous tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol. Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 Much of the online fear about IF in women traces back to a single rat study using extreme protocols in 3-month-old female rats, roughly equivalent to a 9-year-old human, per the 2022 Cienfuegos and Varady review in Nutrients. Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for on line

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of on line was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20line. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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

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