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Synonyms

schedule

American  
[skej-ool, -ool, -oo-uhl, shed-yool, shej-ool] / ˈskɛdʒ ul, -ʊl, -u əl, ˈʃɛd yul, ˈʃɛdʒ ul /

noun

  1. a plan of procedure, usually written, for a proposed objective, especially with reference to the sequence of and time allotted for each item or operation necessary to its completion.

    The schedule allows three weeks for this stage.

  2. a series of things to be done or of events to occur at or during a particular time or period.

    He always has a full schedule.

  3. a timetable.

  4. a written or printed statement of details, often in classified or tabular form, especially one forming an appendix or explanatory addition to another document.

    Synonyms:
    register, table
  5. Obsolete. a written paper.


verb (used with object)

scheduled, scheduling
  1. to make a schedule of or enter in a schedule.

    Synonyms:
    tabulate, enroll, list, register
  2. to plan for a certain date.

    to schedule publication for June.

schedule British  
/ ˈʃɛdjuːl, ˈskɛdʒʊəl /

noun

  1. a plan of procedure for a project, allotting the work to be done and the time for it

  2. a list of items

    a schedule of fixed prices

  3. a list of times, esp of arrivals and departures; timetable

  4. a list of tasks to be performed, esp within a set period

  5. law a list or inventory, usually supplementary to a contract, will, etc

  6. at the expected or planned time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make a schedule of or place in a schedule

  2. to plan to occur at a certain time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
schedule Idioms  

Related Words

See list 1.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of schedule

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Late Latin schedula, equivalent to Latin sched(a) “leaf of paper” + -ula noun suffix ( see -ule); replacing Middle English cedule, sedule, from Middle French, from Late Latin, as above

Explanation

A schedule is a plan of things to be done and the time when they will be done. It is the thing you write down in your planner. If you're a student, you probably have your class schedule memorized within the first few weeks of school. This noun derives from Middle English sedule "slip of parchment or paper, note," from Late Latin schedula, from scheda "a strip of papyrus," from Greek schida "a splinter of wood." The modern spelling schedule did not become established until the mid 17th century. And the current American pronunciation, patterned on words such as scheme and school, was not in use until the 19th century.

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Vocabulary lists containing schedule

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.

His wife, Melanie Toribio, works as a university academic adviser on a hybrid schedule.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

The 2026 Russell reconstitution follows a detailed schedule.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Letterman is enjoying his elder statesman status with an interview show on Netflix, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” that he makes on his own schedule.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

In an interview with Wales Online, she shared a personal disappointment with her schedule and first game in the studio.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

It feels good to have a clear-cut schedule again.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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