timeline

American  

[tahym-lahyn] / ˈtaɪmˌlaɪn /

Or time line

noun

1. a linear representation of important events in the order in which they occurred.

2. a schedule; timetable.

3. Digital Technology.

   1. a collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social media account, in reverse chronological order.

   2. timeline bar.

4. 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.

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timeline British  

/ ˈtaɪmˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a graphic representation showing the passage of time as a line

2. a time frame during which something is scheduled to happen

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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

The Financial Times recently reported that Anthropic was considering a 2026 IPO, having brought on lawyers, though the company’s timeline was debatable.

From MarketWatch

In October, authorities offered a detailed timeline about what they allege caused the fire: The Jan. 1 blaze, now known as the Lachman fire, rekindled to become the Palisades fire days later.

From Los Angeles Times

He says the company can’t meet his specifications and production timelines.

From The Wall Street Journal

Third, when surge capacity can’t be built on a reasonable timeline.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under previous plans, the maximum repayment timeline was 25 years.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• agenda
• timetable