WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025ˈon-ˈline or ˈonˈline,
adj.
- Computingoperating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer:If you are not getting any messages back, make sure you are still on-line (= Make sure your computer is still on-line). Compare off-line.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025on-line
(on′līn′, ôn′-),USA pronunciation adj.
- Computingoperating under the direct control of, or connected to, a main computer (opposed to off-line).
- Computingconnected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the Internet.
- Computingusing a computer.
- Radio and Television, Show Business(of a network) supplying affiliated stations with all or a substantial part of their programming.
- Radio and Television, Show Business[Television.]of or pertaining to the final editing of a videotaped program.
- done or accomplished while in operation or active service:on-line maintenance.
- Transportlocated on major routes or rail lines:on-line industries.
adv.
- Computingwith or through a computer, esp. over a network.
Also, on′line′, on′ line′. Cf.
off-line.
on-line, +
adj.
- Computingconnected by computer to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the Internet.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
online, on-line / ˈɒnˌlaɪn/ - of or relating to the internet: online shopping
- of, relating to, or concerned with a peripheral device that is directly connected to and controlled by the central processing unit of a computer
- occurring as part of, or involving, a continuous sequence of operations, such as a production line
- while connected to a computer or the internet
- come online ⇒ (of a power station or other source of energy) to begin to contribute to a distribution network
- to become functional or available
See offline
'on-line' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):