prep. | 1. | The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath |
| 1. | 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. |
| 2. | 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. |
| 3. | 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. |
| 4. | 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. |
| 5. | In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought. |
| 6. | 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; based on certain assumptions. |
| 7. | At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym). |
| 8. | At the time of; - often conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform; the shop is closed on Sundays. |
| 9. | Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him. |
| 10. | At the peril of, or for the safety of. |
| 11. | 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. |
| 12. | 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. |
| 13. | In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society. |
| 14. | Of. |
| 15. | Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey; on the job; on an assignment; on a case; on the alert. |
| 16. | In the service of; connected with; a member of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee. |
| 17. | In reference to; about; concerning; as, to think on it; to meditate on it. |
adv. | 1. | Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on; the beat goes on. |
| 2. | Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on. |
| 3. | In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on. |
| 4. | Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute. |
| 5. | Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use. |
| 6. | In progress; proceeding; ongoing; as, a game is on. |