: 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

Example Sentences

The city libraries are all online. He likes to engage in online chats.
Recent Examples on the Web Taylor was being held in the Pulaski County jail on Saturday, the jail’s online inmate roster showed. Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 3 June 2023 Those who wish to remain anonymous can utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP orsubmit an anonymous online tip on the MCS website. Maya Lora, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2023 Inauguration was scheduled for the second half of this year, and an online petition to halt work was signed by almost 11,000 people. Carla Bridi And David Biller, ajc, 3 June 2023 Defense attorneys have long said there was never a plan to attack the Capitol and prosecutors' case was largely built on online messages cherry-picked out of context. Lindsay Whitehurst, BostonGlobe.com, 3 June 2023 Millar — who co-owns the online vintage shop Chasseresse with her older sister — was also spotted wearing what looks to be an engagement ring, although reps for Hill did not reply to PEOPLE's request for comment. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 3 June 2023 Police could not confirm that her death stemmed from an online purchase meetup, according to the release. Rebekah Riess, CNN, 3 June 2023 The online version of the article has been revised to remove the erroneous information; the latest updates appear today on Page B8. New York Times, 3 June 2023 From Bud Light and Disney to North Face and Target, companies are finding that innocuous rainbow merch, ad campaigns featuring trans or gay celebrities, and donations to LGBTQ organizations can trigger online hate campaigns along with calls to boycott. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'online.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of online was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near online

Cite this Entry

“Online.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/online. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on online

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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