timeline
Americannoun
-
timelines
plural
-
a linear representation of important events in the order in which they occurred.
-
a schedule; timetable.
-
Digital Technology.
-
a collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social media account, in reverse chronological order.
-
-
an alternate reality in which events unfold differently, often beginning at a single identifiable moment of divergence that establishes a distinct but recognizable parallel existence: We’re stuck in the darkest timeline, trapped in a dystopian nightmare.
My free-love hippie mom just got engaged to a hedge fund manager—what timeline am I living in?
We’re stuck in the darkest timeline, trapped in a dystopian nightmare.
noun
-
a graphic representation showing the passage of time as a line
-
a time frame during which something is scheduled to happen
Usage
What is a timeline? A timeline is a visual representation of chronological events on a line. Timelines are often used in videos, textbooks, articles, or other media that is recounting history. In online news and entertainment, a timeline is also often used to keep track of events as they happen, especially for pressing stories such as major world events and important elections. On social media, a timeline is a broad term that refers to a collection of posts on someone’s account. For example, on Twitter, a user’s timeline is full of posts that they and those they follow create in an order determined by algorithm. While some social media sites might officially refer to such a collection as a page, board, or home, they can all casually be called timelines. Example: To recreate a timeline of events from that evening, we will need as many details as possible.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of timeline
First recorded in 1950–55; time ( def. ) + line 1 ( def. )
Explanation
A timeline is a list of important events arranged in the order in which they happened. You might write out a timeline of Civil War battles when you're studying for a big history test. Timelines are often used in history textbooks and biographies — they explain what happened during a certain period of time or to a particular person, starting with the earliest event and moving forward through time. Your own personal timeline, for example, might begin with your birth. Many timelines are represented graphically by an actual line that's dotted with points representing important events.
Vocabulary lists containing timeline
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Reading: Informational - Middle School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Rams coach Sean McVay is not putting a hard timeline on it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Walker did not amend the timeline in his video or in a subsequent livestream.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
Israeli army radio said the two-week timeline to demolish the house was an "unprecedented record time".
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
Both sides suggested on Saturday that discussions were progressing, but a timeline on any deal being finalised remained unclear.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
“It’s possible, but unlikely that you’ll get your shot. Remember, in the original timeline, he took his own picture accidentally. How can you duplicate such a random event? He sure won’t pose for you willingly.”
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
“Lanterns,” which unfolds across two timelines, is the boldest entry so far in James Gunn’s remade DC Universe.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
Many modern weapons have long funding, order, production, and delivery timelines, making it hard to swiftly replace munitions once they are used.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Companies like Deep Fission must prove they can meet short timelines, contain costs and overcome the industry’s historic challenges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"Its timelines far exceed the bid process from Apollo, and it's not linked at all. It's just business as usual from the EU," he added.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Then we dance and take silly selfies, flooding dashboards and timelines around the world.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
