In 1996, Merriam-Webster introduced Merriam-Webster OnLine, a website offering language-related features, including access to the full text of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus. This made the company's dictionaries freely available to a global audience and marked a significant step in the digital transformation of lexicography. The online platform has since become one of the most popular dictionary websites in the world.

Merriam-Webster Online has democratized access to a major American dictionary, providing poets and writers with a free and readily available reference. Its ease of use and regular updates have made it a go-to resource for writers of all levels. The online platform has also facilitated the incorporation of new words and usages into the dictionary, reflecting the dynamic nature of the English language.