0 to happen: --
I'm sure we never hear about a lot of what goes on in government.
1 to continue: --
What proportion of people who are HIV-positive go on to develop (= later develop) AIDS?
[ + to infinitive ] She admitted her company's responsibility for the disaster and went on to explain how compensation would be paid to the victims.
If you go on (= continue behaving) like this, you won't have any friends left at all.
[ + -ing verb ] We really can't go on living like this - we'll have to find a bigger house.
Please go on with what you're doing and don't let us interrupt you.
When does the heating go on?
The spotlights go on automatically when an intruder is detected in the garden.
4 to talk in an annoying way about something for a long time: --
I wish you'd stop going on at me (= criticizing me repeatedly) about my haircut.
I just wish he'd stop going on about how brilliant his daughter is." "Yes, he does go on (a bit), doesn't he?"
He went on and on until I finally interrupted him and told him I had to go.
5 used when encouraging someone to do something: --
Wear the low-cut blouse with your pink shorts - go on, I dare you!
Please can we get a kitten? Oh go on.