on

preposition

• 1physically in contact with and supported by (a surface):on the table was a water jug she was lying on the floor a sign on the front gate
• located somewhere in the general surface area of (a place):an internment camp on the island the house on the corner
• as a result of accidental physical contact with:he banged his head on a beam
• supported by (a part of the body):he was lying on his back
• on to:put it on the table
• in the possession of; being carried by:she only had a few pounds on her

• 2forming a distinctive or marked part of the surface of:a scratch on her arm a smile on her face

• 3having (the thing mentioned) as a topic; about:a book on careers
• having (the thing mentioned) as a basis:a constitution modelled on America’s

• 4as a member of (a committee, jury, or other body):they would be allowed to serve on committees

• 5having (the thing mentioned) as a target, aim, or focus:five air raids on Schweinfurt thousands marching on Washington her eyes were fixed on his dark profile

• 6(often followed by a noun without a determiner) having (the thing mentioned) as a medium for transmitting or storing information:put your ideas down on paper stored on the client’s own computer
• being broadcast by (a radio or television channel):a new twelve-part TV series on Channel 4

• 7in the course of (a journey):he was on his way to see his mother
• while travelling in (a public vehicle):John got some sleep on the plane
• on to (a public vehicle) with the intention of travelling in it:we got on the train

• 8indicating the day or part of a day during which an event takes place:reported on September 26 on a very hot evening in July
• at the time of:she was booed on arriving home

• 9engaged in:his attendant was out on errands

• 10regularly taking (a drug or medicine):he is on morphine to relieve the pain

• 11paid for by:the drinks are on me

• 12added to:a few pence on the electricity bill is nothing compared with your security

adverb

• 1physically in contact with and supported by a surface:make sure the lid is on
• (of clothing) being worn by a person:sitting with her coat on

• 2indicating continuation of a movement or action:she burbled on he drove on and so on
• further forward; in an advanced state:I’ll see you later on time’s getting on

• 3(of an event) taking place or being presented:what’s on at the May Festival there’s a good film on this afternoon
• due to take place as planned:the match is still on

• 4(of an electrical appliance or power supply) functioning:they always left the lights on

• 5(of an actor) on stage.
• (of an employee) working; on duty.

noun

• (also on side) Cricket the leg side.