online
online Lexical Profile
online Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Connected to, served by, or available through a computer or telecommunications network, especially the internet.
"The university expanded its catalog of online courses to accommodate remote students."
In active operation or ready for use, especially of an industrial system, power plant, or manufacturing process.
"The newly refurbished solar array is now fully online and supplying electricity to the regional grid."
• adverb
While connected to or by means of a computer network or the internet.
"Consumers increasingly prefer to pay their utility bills and manage their bank accounts online."
Into or in a state of active operation or production.
"Two additional backup generators were brought online during the severe winter storm."
Word Origin & Etymology
Originally formed in the 19th century as 'on line' in railroad and telegraph terminology to mean connected to a track or telegraph wire, it was adopted into computing in the 1950s to describe equipment directly connected to a central processor.