: 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 online in a Sentence

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.
But in a busy, chronically online world, any number of books read is something to be proud of. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 Crypto culture, with its terminally online slang and imagery, is alienating and off-putting. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024 The online model recently made headlines after sharing her year-over-year income on X (formerly Twitter). Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 Some games offer fewer features and gameplay options for women's teams compared to men's, and online play functionality sometimes remains limited. Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for online 

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 21 Dec. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!