always-on

adjective

al·​ways-on ˈȯl-wēz-ˈȯn How to pronounce always-on (audio)
-ˈän
-wəz-
-(ˌ)wāz-
also ˈȯ-
: always active, operating, or powered
an always-on Internet connection
When a power shortage occurs and electricity costs rise, the always-on devices scattered throughout … your facility consume increasingly expensive power.Gilbert Held

Examples of always-on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Nookula forecasts the next wave of AI products will be always-on systems, quietly managing workflows. Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Modesty might actually seem attractive, after the nerve-jangling, always-on-tenterhooks Trump years. Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026 Meanwhile in London, Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett had a red carpet moment, joined by Laura Dern and her daughter Jaya, and Margot Robbie showed off her always-on-point street style. Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 The display will lack ProMotion and always-on features. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for always-on

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of always-on was in 1976

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Cite this Entry

“Always-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/always-on. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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