Definition of the word power on

The term "power on" originated in the context of computer technology in the early 1980s. As personal computers became more widely available and popularized, they also became more complex in terms of functionality and internal components. To simplify the process of turning on a computer, manufacturers incorporated a basic user interface that displayed a message instructing the user to press a specific key or button, such as "Press any key" or "Power on," to initiate the startup process. The message "Power On" emerged as a more straightforward and universally recognized phrase due to its conciseness and ability to convey the intended action, which is to activate the power supply and, in turn, the computer's various functions and peripherals. Today, "power on" is commonly used in a variety of electronic devices beyond just computers, such as printers, routers, and TVs, as a standardized directive for their users.