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.

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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

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verb

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

2. to plan to occur at a certain time

schedule Idioms  

1. see on schedule.

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Related Words

See list ¹.

Other Word Forms

• preschedule verb (used with object)
• schedular adjective
• scheduler noun
• subschedule noun
• unscheduled adjective
• well-scheduled adjective

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.

Example Sentences

“Lorne” walks viewers through the Monday-to-Saturday schedule, interspersed with memories from cast members, writers, producers and NBC execs past and present.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

Being there for his weekly routine captures something of Michaels’ entrenched schedule, as well as the scary-fast prep swirling around him.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

From the time she was a young girl, Mary Kay’s schedule added care for her invalid father, meal preparation and housekeeping to her schoolwork.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Add the Carabao Cup to that fixture list and it is a packed schedule that looks almost unmanageable.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Hardly knowing day from night, Abel slept and kept no schedule, and the days came and left, uncounted.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Related Words

• agenda
• calendar
• chart
• itinerary
• lineup
• list
• program
• record
• roster
• timetable