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• chart
  chart

  noun

  a sheet exhibiting information in tabular form.
• chart.
  chart.

  abbreviation

  (in prescriptions) a paper.

chart

¹ American  

[chahrt] / tʃɑrt /

noun

1. a sheet exhibiting information in tabular form.

2. a graphic representation, as by curves, of a dependent variable, as temperature, price, etc.; graph.

3. a map, especially a hydrographic or marine map.

4. an outline map showing special conditions or facts.

   a weather chart.

5. Astrology. horoscope.

6. Jazz. a musical arrangement.

7. the charts, ratings of the popularity of popular-music records, usually based on nationwide sales for a given week.

   Their album is number three on the charts this week.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a chart of.

2. to plan.

   to chart a course of action.

   Synonyms:

   outline, draft

3. Informal. to rank in the charts.

   The new song gets charted number four this week.

idioms

1. off the charts, greatly exceeding the general level or average: Also off the chart

   Demand for the new phone is off the charts.

chart. ² American  

abbreviation

1. (in prescriptions) a paper.

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chart British  

/ tʃɑːt /

noun

1. a map designed to aid navigation by sea or air

2. an outline map, esp one on which weather information is plotted

3. a sheet giving graphical, tabular, or diagrammatical information

4. another name for graph

5. astrology another word for horoscope

6. informal the lists produced weekly from various sources of the bestselling pop singles and albums or the most popular videos

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verb

1. (tr) to make a chart of

2. (tr) to make a detailed plan of

3. (tr) to plot or outline the course of

4. (intr) (of a record or video) to appear in the charts (sense 6)

Synonym Usage

See map.

Other Word Forms

• chartable
  adjective
• prechart
  verb (used with object)
• precharted
  adjective
• rechart
  verb (used with object)
• well-charted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of chart¹

1565–75; from Middle French charte, from Latin c(h)arta; see charta

Origin of chart.²

From the Latin word charta

Explanation

Whether it's a kind of graph, a map, or even a piece of music, a chart is a visual display of information. As a verb, chart means to make that kind of display. Some words' meanings grow narrower over the centuries. But in the case of chart, which comes from the French charte and Latin charta, "map," the meanings have grown a lot since the 1500s. Now, chart is a noun meaning any visual index of information, as in "that song is shooting up the charts." It's also still a map, as in "harbor chart." And it's a verb, as in "to chart your progress, make a chart."

Example Sentences

The chart below shows the S&P 500 Momentum Index’s two-month performance, with data dating back to 1994, to highlight its historic recent surge.

From MarketWatch • May 30, 2026

This document often displays hundreds of lines and dozens of columns of jargon-encrusted data in type so small it looks like the lowest line of that eye chart in your optometrist’s office.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Manilow notes proudly that the song, which was produced by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, recently made Billboard’s adult contemporary chart, extending his run on that tally beyond the half-century mark.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

But shortly thereafter the rally began to sputter, as the below chart shows.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

“Tats, disappear; Eisen is on her way,” I say, moving my pen across the chart in a series of squiggles.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Related Words

• delineate
• devise
• lay out
• outline
• sketch