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
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.
This fresh take supercharges the original’s signature mix of strategy and deception into an addictive experience built for today’s always-on audience. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 As far as these online habits show, the sanctity of Sundays off may be vanishing as an always-on work culture takes over. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026 The promise of an always-on, local-first intelligent assistant with persistent background agents that execute consistently and reliably has massive appeal to those who want to bring AI capabilities more fully into their day-to-day lives. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 But what’s interesting to me is that one man, Peter Steinberger, was able to create an actually useful AI agent for the consumer with OpenClaw — an always-on tool, despite its privacy flaws. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 8 Oct. 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

Rhymes for always-on

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Browse Nearby Words

always
always-on
Alyce clover
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Cite this Entry

“Always-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/always-on. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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