: 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.
While most debates, especially online, aren't so clear cut, the majority agrees that even the most skilled men are no match for a gorilla. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025 For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Late last year, when the California Air Resources Board finally rolled out public subsidies for an electric-bike program that had long been delayed, the online application window closed within a matter of minutes. Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025 The film, which chronicles prosecutors’ controversial 2023 raid on an online news outlet amid a defamation dustup with then-President Yoon Suk Yeol,, has grossed $276,864 since its midweek opening. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Online.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/online. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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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