on line

1 of 2

phrase

Synonyms of on linenext
: in or into operation
bringing the new factory on line

online

2 of 2

adjective

on·​line ˈȯn-ˈlīn How to pronounce online (audio) ˈän-ˈlīn How to pronounce online (audio)
: 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 on line in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Phrase
The 44-year-old was photographed greeting tennis fans on line at the tennis tournament. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Adjective
Don’t get all hot dog and bothered just yet about all the online claims that Team Norway somehow doesn’t trust American food. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 The extremely graphic video posted online shows Rangzen walking to a spot on the street carrying a Tibetan flag. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for on line

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of on line was in 1950

Phrases Containing on line

Rhymes for on line

See All Rhymes for on line

Browse Nearby Words

on limits
on line
online
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20line. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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 on line

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for on line

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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