timeline
Americannoun
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a linear representation of important events in the order in which they occurred.
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a schedule; timetable.
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Digital Technology.
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a collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social media account, in reverse chronological order.
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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
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a graphic representation showing the passage of time as a line
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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.
Etymology
Origin of timeline
First recorded in 1950–55; time ( def. ) + line 1 ( def. )
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.
Finally, set a reasonable timeline to resolve this matter and be very clear that if a decision cannot be reached by that deadline, you will seek outside help to resolve it.
From MarketWatch
There’s plenty of time if we’re following the tech timeline precisely.
That taskforce sifted through previous statements given by family members which "identified a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies" of the timeline around the boy's disappearance.
From BBC
She added that the county’s current timeline for completing permit reviews is 31 business days.
From Los Angeles Times
Asked if he anticipated a similar timeline this year, Snead said, “I think all of us want it to be shorter,” than 2025.
From Los Angeles Times
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.