timeline

noun

time·​line ˈtīm-ˌlīn How to pronounce timeline (audio)
variants or time line
plural timelines or time lines
1
a
: an arrangement or occurrence (as of past events) in time : chronology
After interviewing the suspect, the wardens pieced together a timeline of events and gathered enough evidence to file appropriate charges …Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
b
: a visual representation of events associated with a particular period of time arranged chronologically along a line or in a linear format
The book also includes a timeline, showing which dinosaurs lived when and where, and how the Earth has changed over millions of years.The Children's Bookwatch
In her "Foundations of Western Civilization" course … Prof. Julia Gossard has her students create a timeline of the history of food …Thomas Keith
c
: a schedule of planned events, actions, etc. : timetable sense 2
With just under a year left until your nuptials, here's what's next on your wedding planning timeline.Sarah Hanlon
Giving the client a say in every step of the project could create a delay and throw off the timelineKatie Bates
2
: a period of time especially with respect to some project or event : time frame
And what's the timeline for implementing these changes?Mark Sovel
The stakes are high, and the timeline is tight.Rio Longacre
… school districts can't open before Labor Day and must end by June 15. But to meet that compressed timeline … , districts have had to consider trade-offs.Donna St. George
3
: a stream of social media posts : feed sense 3e
Algorithmic timelines quietly replaced chronological ones, until our social-media feeds no longer took direction from us, but rather directed us where they wanted us to go.Yair Rosenberg
And if there's something funny … I make sure to Retweet so others can cleanse their timeline and enjoy.Andy Richardson
4
: a branch of a theoretical multiverse that exists in parallel with other branches
… the notion that we're surrounded by a multitude of parallel selves, one of which might be living in a better timeline than the one we're stuck in.S. I. Rosenbaum
used especially in science fiction
Dune: Awakening is set in an "alternate" timeline from the original Frank Herbert novels, where something has happened to change the course of history.Wes Fenlon

Examples of timeline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Once alone, Rob continued to press Sophie over the timeline. Abigail Adams, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025 Browne and Morris said the university’s three-year timeline will allow for a smooth transition. Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2025 Christian Wood, the other big man on the roster, has yet to play this season after suffering a setback in his rehab from knee surgery and there is no official timeline for his return. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2025 That is the standard timeline for most new arenas/stadiums. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025 There is no set timeline, but the company is hoping to move quickly and is in the early stages of mapping out its plans. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025 Here’s a complete relationship timeline, with the most recent developments up top. Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025 Their deals expire at the end of the 2026-27 campaign Then there’s the second timeline, led by the supposedly untouchable Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025 The city of Oak Creek's Planning Commission announced a timeline that has four key approval meetings set up through June. Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of timeline was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near timeline

Cite this Entry

“Timeline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timeline. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

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