online

on·line

Use online in a sentence

Chatting online.

adjective

The definition of online is connected to or ready to send or receive data with a computer network.
An example of online used as an adjective is in the phrase "online computer," which means a computer that is connected to the Internet.

adverb

Online is defined as on or via a computer network.
An example of online used as an adverb is in the phrase "online chat," which means chatting done over a network.

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"Online." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE.

APA Style

Online. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE

online

designating or of equipment directly controlled by the central processing unit of a computer
connected to and ready to receive data from or transmit data to a computer or computer network
available on or done through the Internet or some other computer network

on or by means of the Internet or some other computer network

Also written on-line

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MLA Style

"Online." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE.

APA Style

Online. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE

online

or on-line

adjective

a. Connected to a central computer or to a computer network: The workers' terminals are online during business hours.
b. Accessible via a computer or computer network: an online database.
c. Conducted or facilitated by means of a computer network: online dating.
In production or operation, often as part of a supply chain: Is the new factory online yet?

Related Forms:

on′line′
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"Online." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE.

APA Style

Online. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE

Connected to or accessible by means of a computer or computer network.

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MLA Style

"Online." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE.

APA Style

Online. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE

Adjective

(comparative more online, superlative most online)

Describes a system which is connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.
1. Describes a generator or power plant which is connected to the grid.
2. Describes a computer which is connected to the Internet or to some other communications service - i.e., not simply with the cable plugged in, but has established a connection to a larger network (e.g., by dialing up).
  Is this modem online?
Available over, or delivered from, the Internet.
I prefer to read the online newspapers.
Connected to the Internet.
I'll be online tonight, so I'll be able to reply to your email.
Available on a computer system, even if not networked.
Press the F1 key to access the online help.
The program comes with an online manual.
Describes a system that is active, particularly building facilities (such as power) or a factory or power plant.
The power is online.
Once this factory comes online, it will double car production in our country!

Adverb

(comparative more online, superlative most online)

Describes actions performed over the Internet.
He works online.

Origin

on +"Ž line

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"Online." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE.

APA Style

Online. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE

online - Computer Definition

Available for immediate use. It refers to being connected to the Internet or any remote service where there is no delay in accessing the network. For example, with cable modem and DSL service, you are online all the time. On the other hand, when you connect via a dial-up analog modem, you are online after you dial in and log in to your Internet provider. When you log out, you are "offline." Peripherals Are Also Online A peripheral device (terminal, printer, etc.) that is turned on and connected to the computer is also online. For example, if your data are on a disk attached to your computer, the disk and the data are said to be online. If your data are on a removable disk cartridge in your desk drawer, it is offline. A printer can be taken offline by simply pressing the ONLINE, GO or SEL button. The printer is still attached and connected, but is internally cut off from receiving data from the computer. Pressing the button turns it back online. Online Vs. Batch In the 1960s and 1970s, the ancient days of computers, systems were designed as either online or batch. Online meant terminals were connected to a central computer, and batch meant entering batches of transactions (from punch cards or tape) on a second or third shift. The term "transaction processing" evolved from online processing. See transaction processing. See also nearline.

Want to Impress Your Friends?

Although truly overkill, it is not incorrect to say that you work with "online, real-time, transaction processing systems" (every major company has one or more). In today's age of buzzwords, this phrase still sounds pretty high tech. But if you say this at your next cocktail party, be careful. Your friends will start asking you how to get their computers to work better, but an experienced computer professional will probably just chuckle.

Computer Desktop Encyclopedia THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher. © 1981-2017 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"Online." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE.

APA Style

Online. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/ONLINE

online

online

online

online - Computer Definition

Want to Impress Your Friends?

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WORDS NEAR online IN THE DICTIONARY

online

online

online

online - Computer Definition

Want to Impress Your Friends?

Sentence Examples

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WORDS NEAR online IN THE DICTIONARY

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