Dictionary.net

indicates continuity or persistence or concentration; "his spirit lives on"; "shall I read on?"

in operation or operational; "left the oven on"; "the switch is in the on position"

indicates continuity or persistence or concentration; "his spirit lives on"; "shall I read on?"

in a state required for something to function or be effective; "turn the lights on"; "get a load on" is slang for"drink enough to become intoxicated"

in operation or operational; "left the oven on"; "the switch is in the on position"

The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath

At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.

Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.

Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.

At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).

At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.

At the peril of, or for the safety of.

In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.

Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.

In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.

Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.

In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.

Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.

In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.

To or against the surface of; - used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

At or near; adjacent to; - indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.

In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.

Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.

By virtue of; with the pledge of; - denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.

To the account of; - denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.

Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.

Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, He is neither on nor off, that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.

The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath

At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.

Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.

Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.

At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).

At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.

At the peril of, or for the safety of.

In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.

Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.

In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.

Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.

In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.

Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.

In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.

To or against the surface of; - used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

At or near; adjacent to; - indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.

In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.

Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.

By virtue of; with the pledge of; - denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.

To the account of; - denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.

Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.

Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, He is neither on nor off, that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.

Of.

Upon; as, to sit on a chair; in contact with the upper surface; as, we live on the earth; along or by; as, Paris is on the Seine; in the act or state of; as, on a journey; toward; as, he looked on her as his guide; in connection with; as, to go on business; showing the relation of following after; as, they are on his trail; in the direction of; as, the door opens on a lawn; about; as, an address on war; indicating time; as, on July first; resting against; as, a picture on the wall; supported by; as, on my honor.

Forward; onward; along; as, to go on; so as to cover or be supported by; as, put on your coat; jump on before the train starts; in or into action or use; as, to turn on the gas; in progress; as, the fight is on.

In contact with the upper part of: to and towards the surface of: upon or acting by contact with: not off: at or near: at or during: in addition to: toward, for: at the peril of: in consequence: immediately after: (B.) off.

Above, or next beyond: forward, in succession: in continuance: not off.

Go on! proceed!.

Forward; not off.

In contact with the upper part of; at; during; to; with; for; upon; by; after.

An incalculable period of time; an age; eternity.

So as to cover, overspread, of adhere.

Forward; ahead.

In of into contact with the top of; by means of.

Close behind.

Directed toward.

In the act of.

Comprised in.

In reference to.

In a state of.

prep. [Anglo-Saxon, German] In contact with the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it ;- in a state of nearness or contiguity ; in contact with or lying above the surface or upper part of a thing ; in the state of resting upon or being supported by ;—acting or performing with the hand or fingers, as on an instrument, &c., hence, noting action or influence; noting addition or increase ;— noting advance or progress ;- hence, by means of ; with ;- in addition to : besides ;— at or near ;— in dependence or reliance upon ;— at or in the time of ;—toward ; for ;- at the peril of, or for the safety of ;— by virtue of ; with the pledge of ;— to the account of ;- in consequence of, or following ;- in reference or relation to.

adv. Forward; in progression; onward ;- forward, in succession ;- in continuance ; without interruption or ceasing ;- in contact with and adhering to ; above or attached to the body.

interj. Word of incitement or encouragement to attack.