storyline

noun

sto·​ryline ˈstȯr-ē-ˌlīn 

variants or less commonly story line

plural storylines also story lines

1

: a plotline of a story, drama, or game

HBO's Insecure has been an exquisite platform of compelling, nuanced, mature storylines for Black TV comedy during its run.

—Matthew Allen

Pointless, menial objectives in a game distract from the main storyline and dilute the impact of more fun, engrossing missions.

—Teddy Amenabar

The two story lines, each with its own compelling view of love, coalesce in a dramatic and surprising ending.

—Martha Toll

also : story sense 1a

I've long wondered how the brain fits such unexpected sounds so smoothly and adroitly into dreams. The suggestion that the brain always brings phenomena to awareness a split second after they actually occur—in order to construct a plausible storyline for their appearance—offers a possible answer.

—Robert Levy

2

: a matter of particular importance, concern, or interest to an audience

—used especially in sports

The main storyline for the Timberwolves is the addition of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

—Tyler Schmidt

The fact Ovechkin has brought the impossible record within reach changes the way you watch the game. … Because Gretzky's goal total is the ultimate individual record in the sport, the chase trumps every other storyline surrounding this team from now until Ovechkin gets there.

—J. J. Regan

often : one that is evolving or developing

The offensive line is a major storyline to watch throughout training camp and the preseason, especially considering there's a new quarterback under center for the fifth consecutive season.

—Kevin Hickey

Synonyms

• action
• plot
• story

Examples of storyline in a Sentence

the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information

Recent Examples on the Web

The original version of the character was a lousy pilot who made it to Top Gun through nepotism, a storyline Powell thought did the film a disservice. —Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024

Dorit's been treading water as a Housewife the last few seasons but nothing shakes up a storyline like a separation — a separation that Erika Jayne called from a mile away, by the way. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 23 May 2024

Kenzie delayed her June 2023 wedding (when season 46 was filmed) to compete, a storyline highlighted in the penultimate episode. Upon returning home from Fiji, Kenzie married her husband Jackson Petty in September 2023. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024

Former First Lady Michelle Obama even gave her stamp of approval in a season two storyline centering on her. —Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024

One source familiar with the script permutations told Variety that the scene was even more overt in earlier drafts, while a second insider says the scene’s inclusion was debated for its necessity to the storyline. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 20 May 2024

Here are five storylines to watch for the 149th running of the Preakness. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024

After years of dealing with her children's ridiculous romantic travails—including her daughter Daphne not understanding how babies are made for far too long—Violet is finally getting her own storyline. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 15 May 2024

Modern Chinese dramas are increasingly taking on K-drama-like storylines and themes, appealing to wider audiences through platforms like Netflix and Viu, relative to traditional Chinese costume fantasy dramas, which remain popular in Thailand and Taiwan. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1