(prep.) In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place.
(prep.) Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done.
(prep.) Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the end or final cause with reference to which anything is, acts, serves, or is done.
(prep.) Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which, anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of; on the side of; -- opposed to against.
(prep.) Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; /ntending to go to.
(prep.) Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or made; instead of, or place of.
(prep.) Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.
(prep.) Indicating that instead of which something else controls in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to notwithstanding, in spite of; -- generally followed by all, aught, anything, etc.
(prep.) Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of.
(prep.) Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
(conj.) Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.
(conj.) Since; because; introducing a reason of something before advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very general introduction to something suggested by what has gone before.
(n.) One who takes, or that which is said on, the affrimative side; that which is said in favor of some one or something; -- the antithesis of against, and commonly used in connection with it.
Example Sentences:
On
Definition:
(prep.) In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
(prep.) The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
(prep.) At the peril of, or for the safety of.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
(prep.) Of.
(prep.) Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.
(prep.) In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
(prep.) Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.
(prep.) Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
(prep.) Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
(prep.) Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.
(prep.) In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.