Webster's English Dictionary

on

1. on \(')o.n, (')a:n\ pp ['(ME an, on, prep. & adv., fr. OE, akin to OHG 
   ana on, Gk Xana up, on 1a1: over and in contact with {the book is ~ the 
   table}  1a2: in contact or juxtaposition {with a fly ~ the ceiling}  1a3: - 
   used as a function word to indicate a means of conveyance {left  ~ the 
   early train} 1a4: - used as a function word to indicate a part (as of the 
   body) that  supports and is in contact with something underneath {stand ~ 
   one foot} 1a5: in the direction or area of {~ the right}  1b1: to a 
   position over and in contact with {jumped ~ the horse}  1b2: into contact 
   with {put the notice ~ the bulletin board}  2a: - used as a function word 
   to indicate the object of actual or implie d action directed against or 
   toward the object {crept up ~ him} {smiled ~ her} 2b: to the disadvantage 
   of {have some evidence ~ him}  3: - used as a function word to indicate the 
   basis or source (as of an a ction, opinion, or computation) {know it ~ good 
   authority} {ten cents ~ the dollar} 4a: with regard or respect to : ABOUT 
   {agreed ~ a price}  {a monopoly ~ wheat} {a satire ~ society} archaic  4b: 
   OF  5a: in connection, association, or activity with or with regard to {~  
   a committee} {~ tour} 5b: in a state or process of {~ fire} {~ the 
   increase}  6a: - used as a function word to indicate occurrence within the 
   limits o f a specified day or at a set time {came ~ monday} {every hour ~ 
   the hour} 6b: at or soon after the time of {cash ~ delivery}  7: through 
   the means or agency of {cut ~ a knife} {talking @ the telephone} 8: - used 
   as a function word to indicate reduplication or succession in  a series 
   {loss ~ loss}
2. on \'o.n, 'a:n\ av 1a: in or into a position of contact with an upper 
   surface {put the plat es ~} 1b: in or into a position of being attached to 
   or covering a surface {ha s new shoes ~} 2a: forward in space, time, or 
   action : ONWARD {went ~ hom e} 2b: in continuance or succession {and so ~}  
   3: into operation or a position permitting operation {turn the light @}
3. on \'o.n, 'a:n\ aj 1: engaged in an activity or function (as a dramatic 
   role)  2a1: OPERATING {the radio is ~}  2a2: placed so as to permit 
   operation {the switch is ~}  2b: taking place {the game is ~}  3: PLANNED 
   {has nothing ~ for tonight}