always-on

adjective

al·​ways-on ˈȯl-wēz-ˈȯn 

-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

The touch bevel design gives it a sleek look while the AMOLED display creates a vividly bright and colorful watch face (which can be set to always-on, by the way). —Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024

But those stores should be secured, and Play Protect and the live threat detection should be always-on. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The utility-like, always-on expectations for the network make change risky — and automated change downright terrifying for most operators. —Mike Bushong, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Pixel Watch 3 The Pixel Watch 3’s always-on display is easier to see in daylight than last year’s. —Mike Feibus, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above