chronology
noun
chro·nol·o·gy
krə-ˈnä-lə-jē 
plural chronologies
1
: the science that deals with measuring time by regular divisions and that assigns to events their proper dates
2
: a chronological table, list, or account
a chronology of the author's works
3
: an arrangement (as of events) in order of occurrence
reconstruct the chronology of the trip
The book provides a chronology of events leading up to the American Civil War.
Did you know?
History is much more than a simple chronology of events, but keeping events in chronological order is the first essential step in thinking about it. When, for example, historians try to show how World War I prepared the way for World War II, tracking the chronology of the events in the years between the two wars can help in explaining a complicated historical era.
Examples of chronology in a Sentence
We tried to reconstruct the chronology of the accident.
The book provides a chronology of the events leading up to the American Civil War.
Recent Examples on the Web
Miller’s approach to storytelling technique is as straightforward as the chronology, with a few exceptions.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
While the novel examines clashes between diverging approaches to justice, honor, and community, its looping chronology illustrates the inescapable ripples of national and family histories.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Since its release, viewers have been arguing about the chronology of One Battle After Another.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Nor does it get hung up on its unlikely chronology, or get sidetracked by the events of the Prometheus and Covenant missions that departed a few decades prior.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronology
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Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
While the novel examines clashes between diverging approaches to justice, honor, and community, its looping chronology illustrates the inescapable ripples of national and family histories.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Since its release, viewers have been arguing about the chronology of One Battle After Another.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Nor does it get hung up on its unlikely chronology, or get sidetracked by the events of the Prometheus and Covenant missions that departed a few decades prior.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronology
Cite this Entry
“Chronology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronology. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chronology
noun
chro·nol·o·gy
krə-ˈnäl-ə-jē
plural chronologies
1
: the science that deals with measuring time and dating events
2
: a chronological table or list
chronologist
noun
-jəst
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