online

Definition

Of a system: connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.

Etymology

1950, from on + line.

Example Sentences

• "Is this modem online?"
• "In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result. If the bumf arrived electronically, the take-up rate was 0.1%. And for online adverts the “conversion” into sales was a minuscule 0.01%."
• "The online world was meant to be an open system but has become dominated by huge corporations."