on

- 13 dictionary results

on

[on, awn]

–preposition

1.	so as to be or remain supported by or suspended from: Put your package down on the table; Hang your coat on the hook.

2.	so as to be attached to or unified with: Hang the picture on the wall. Paste the label on the package.

3.	so as to be a covering or wrapping for: Put the blanket on the baby. Put aluminum foil on the lamb chops before freezing them.

4.	in connection, association, or cooperation with; as a part or element of: to serve on a jury.

5.	so as to be a supporting part, base, backing, etc., of: a painting on canvas; mounted on cardboard; legs on a chair.

6.	(used to indicate place, location, situation, etc.): a scar on the face; the book on the table; a house on 19th Street.

7.	(used to indicate immediate proximity): a house on the lake; to border on absurdity.

8.	in the direction of: on the left; to sail on a southerly course.

9.	(used to indicate a means of conveyance or a means of supporting or supplying movement): on the wing; This car runs on electricity. Can you walk on your hands? I'll be there on the noon plane.

10.	by the agency or means of: drunk on wine; talking on the phone; I saw it on television.

11.	in addition to: millions on millions of stars.

12.	with respect or regard to (used to indicate the object of an action directed against or toward): Let's play a joke on him. Write a critical essay on Shakespeare.

13.	in a state or condition of; in the process of: on strike; The house is on fire!

14.	subject to: a doctor on call.

15.	engaged in or involved with: He's on the second chapter now.

16.	(used to indicate a source or a person or thing that serves as a source or agent): a duty on imported goods; She depends on her friends for encouragement.

17.	(used to indicate a basis or ground): on my word of honor; The movie is based on the book.

18.	(used to indicate risk or liability): on pain of death.

19.	(used to indicate progress toward or completion of an objective): We completed the project on budget.

20.	assigned to or occupied with; operating: Who's on the switchboard this afternoon?

21.	Informal. so as to disturb or affect adversely: My hair dryer broke on me.

22.	Informal. paid for by, esp. as a treat or gift: Dinner is on me.

23.	taking or using as a prescribed measure, cure, or the like: The doctor had her on a low-salt diet.

24.	regularly taking or addicted to: He was on drugs for two years.

25.	Informal. with; carried by: I have no money on me.

26.	(used to indicate time or occasion): on Sunday; We demand cash on delivery.

27.	(used to indicate the object or end of motion): to march on the capital.

28.	(used to indicate the object or end of action, thought, desire, etc.): to gaze on a scene.

29.	(used to indicate subject, reference, or respect): views on public matters.

30.	(used to indicate an encounter): The pickpocket crept up on a victim.

–adverb

31.	in, into, or onto a position of being supported or attached: Sew the buttons on.

32.	in, into, or onto a position of covering or wrapping: Put your raincoat on.

33.	fast to a thing, as for support: Hold on!

34.	toward a place, point, activity, or object: to look on while others work.

35.	forward, onward, or along, as in any course or process: further on.

36.	with continuous activity: to work on.

37.	into or in active operation or performance: Turn the gas on.

–adjective

38.	operating or in use: The television set was on. Is your brake on?

39.	taking place; occurring: Don't you know there's a war on?

40.	performing or broadcasting: The radio announcer told us we were on.

41.

Informal.

a.	behaving in a theatrical, lively, or ingratiating way: Around close friends, one doesn't have to be on every minute.

b.	functioning or performing at one's best: When she's on, no other tennis player is half as good.

42.	scheduled or planned: Anything on after supper?

43.	Baseball. positioned on a base or bases: They had two men on when he hit the home run.

44.	Cricket. noting that side of the wicket, or of the field, on which the batsman stands.

–noun

45.	Cricket. the on side.

—Idioms

46.	on and off, off (def. 22a).

47.	on and on, at great length, so as to become tiresome: They rambled on and on about their grandchildren.

48.	on the bow, Nautical. bow ³ (def. 8).

49.	on to, aware of the true nature, motive, or meaning of: I'm on to your little game.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME on, an, OE: on, in, to; c. D aan, G an, ON ā, Goth ana; akin to Gk aná up, upon (see ana- )

On

[on]

–noun

Biblical name of Heliopolis.

ON

1.	Old Norse. Also, ON., O.N.

2.	Ontario, Canada (approved for postal use).

-on

a suffix used in the names of subatomic particles (gluon; meson; neutron), quanta (graviton), and other minimal entities or components (cistron; codon; magneton; photon).

Origin:
prob. extracted from ion; cf. proton

-on

a suffix used in the naming of inert gaseous elements: neon.

Origin:
≪ Gk -on, neut. of -os adj. ending

He⋅li⋅op⋅o⋅lis

[hee-lee-op-uh-lis]

–noun

1.	Biblical name, On. an ancient ruined city in N Egypt, on the Nile delta.

2.	ancient Greek name of Baalbek.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

on (ŏn, ôn)

prep.

1. Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with: The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees.
2. Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position: a picture on the wall; a rash on my back.
3. Used to indicate location at or along: the pasture on the south side of the river; a house on the highway.
4. Used to indicate proximity: a town on the border.
5. Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from: beads on a string.
6. Used to indicate figurative or abstract position: on the young side, but experienced; on her third beer; stopped on chapter two.
7. Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto: jumped on the table; the march on Washington.
8. Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto: going on six o'clock; came on the answer by accident.
9. Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
10. Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
11. Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
12. Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
13. Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
14. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
15. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
16. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
17. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
18. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
19. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
20. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
21. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
22. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
23. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
24. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
1. Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto: jumped on the table; the march on Washington.
2. Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto: going on six o'clock; came on the answer by accident.
3. Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
4. Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
5. Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
6. Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
7. Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
8. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
9. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
10. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
11. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
12. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
13. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
14. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
15. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
16. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
17. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
18. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
1. Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
2. Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
3. Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
4. Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
5. Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
6. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
7. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
8. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
9. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
10. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
11. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
12. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
13. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
14. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
15. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
16. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
1. Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
2. Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
3. Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
4. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
5. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
6. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
7. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
8. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
9. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
10. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
11. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
12. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
13. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
14. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action: cut his foot on the broken glass; talked on the telephone.
1. Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
2. Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
3. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
4. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
5. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
6. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
7. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
8. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
9. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
10. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
1. Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results" (Margaret Thatcher).
2. Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
3. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
4. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
5. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
6. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
7. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
8. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
1. Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
2. Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
3. Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
4. Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
5. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
6. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate belonging to: a nurse on the hospital staff.
Used to indicate addition or repetition: heaped error on error.
1. Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
2. Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Informal In one's possession; with: I haven't a cent on me.
At the expense of; compliments of: drinks on the house.

adv.

In or into a position or condition of being supported by or in contact with something: Put the coffee on.
In or into a position of being attached to or covering something: Put your clothes on.
In the direction of something: He looked on while the ship docked.
1. Toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time; forward: The play moved on to the next city.
2. At or to a more distant point in time or space: I'll do it later on.
3. In or into performance or operation: Turn on the radio.
4. In progress or action; in a state of activity: The show must go on.
In a continuous course: He worked on quietly.
1. In or into performance or operation: Turn on the radio.
2. In progress or action; in a state of activity: The show must go on.
In or at the present position or condition: stay on; hang on.
In a condition of being scheduled for or decided upon: There is a party on tonight.

adj.

Being in operation: The television is on.
1. Engaged in a given function or activity, such as a vocal or dramatic role: You're on in five minutes!
2. Under or behaving as if under observation: A minister is always on.
3. Planned; intended: We have nothing much on for this weekend.
4. Happening; taking place: The parade is on.
Informal Functioning or performing at a high degree of competence or energy: The goalie is really on.
1. Planned; intended: We have nothing much on for this weekend.
2. Happening; taking place: The parade is on.
Baseball Having reached base safely; on base: Two runners are on.

[Middle English, from Old English an, on; see an- in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: To indicate motion toward a position, both on and onto can be used: The cat jumped on the table. The cat jumped onto the table. Onto is more specific, however, in indicating that the motion was initiated from an outside point. He wandered onto the battlefield means that he began his wandering at some point off the battlefield. He wandered on the battlefield may mean that his wandering began on the battlefield. · In constructions where on is an adverb attached to a verb, it should not be joined with to to form the single word onto: move on to (not onto) new subjects; hold on to (not onto) our gains. · In their uses to indicate spatial relations, on and upon are often interchangeable: It was resting on (or upon) two supports. We saw a finch light on (or upon) a bough. To indicate a relation between two things, however, instead of between an action and an end point, upon cannot always be used: Hand me the book on (not upon) the table. It was the only town on (not upon) the main line. Similarly, upon cannot always be used in place of on when the relation is not spatial: He wrote a book on (not upon) alchemy. She will be here on (not upon) Tuesday.

ON
abbr.

Old Norse
Ontario

On·tar·i·o (ŏn-târ'ē-ō')

Abbr. ON or Ont. A province of east-central Canada. It joined the confederation in 1867. First visited by French explorers in the early 1600s, it passed to the British in 1763 and became part of the province of Quebec in 1774. It was called Upper Canada after its division from Quebec (then Lower Canada) in 1791. Reunited with Lower Canada in 1841, it became a separate province with the formation of the confederation. Toronto is the capital and the largest city. Population: 12,200,000.
A city of southern California east of Los Angeles. It is a residential and industrial center in a citrus-growing region. Population: 173,000.

Word Origin & History

O.E. on, unstressed variant of an "in, on, into," from P.Gmc. (cf. Du. aan, Ger. an, Goth. ana "on, upon"), from PIE base *ano "on" (cf. Avestan ana "on," Gk. ana "on, upon," L. an-, O.C.S. na, Lith. nuo "down from"). Also used in O.E. in many places where we would now use in. From 16c.-18c. (and still in northern England dialect) often reduced to o'. Phrase on to "aware" is from 1877.

Medical Dictionary

-on ³
suff.
A chemical compound that is not a ketone or a compound that contains oxygen in a carbonyl group: parathion.

Bible Dictionary

On

light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have "Heliopolis" ("city of the sun") instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The "city of destruction" Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. "of Heres;" Heb. 'Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., "city of the sun") may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the "city of the sun-god" shall become the "city of destruction" of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship of the true God be established. In ancient times this city was full of obelisks dedicated to the sun. Of these only one now remains standing. "Cleopatra's Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple of Tum, i.e., "the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London. "It was at On that Joseph wooed and won the dark-skinned Asenath, the daughter of the high priest of its great temple." This was a noted university town, and here Moses gained his acquaintance with "all the wisdom of the Egyptians."

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Abbreviations & Acronyms

Old Norse
Ontario

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