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.
Earning our Editors' Choice award for the best affordable fitness tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3 features an always-on color screen, capable workout and health metrics, and the longest battery life in the Fitbit lineup. — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 9 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 Public cloud rewards bursty, variable demand, but for always-on workloads, pay-as-you-go premium and data egress fees compound fast. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Lucy Guo is no stranger to the always-on culture that defines Silicon Valley startups. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Sep. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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