chronological

adjective

chro·​no·​log·​i·​cal ˌkrä-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌkrō-

variants or less commonly chronologic

ˌkrä-nə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌkrō-

: of, relating to, or arranged in or according to the order of time

chronological tables of American history

His art is arranged in chronological order.

also : reckoned in units of time

chronological age

chronologically

ˌkrä-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌkrō-

adverb

Examples of chronological in a Sentence

His art is displayed in roughly chronological order.

a chronological account of their trip

Recent Examples on the Web

Rubens’s twenty-four paintings about the life of Marie de’ Medici tell an epic chronological story. —News Desk, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026

So, just on chronological grounds, none of these accusations really add up logically, just in terms solely of rational argument. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Such experiences, Beatty said, can fracture memory, leaving recollections fragmented rather than organized and chronological. —Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

Aesthetically, Summer of ’94 is dry stuff — very basic and chronological, but accompanied by poppy ’80s and ’90s musical hits to add to spirit. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

chronological from chronologic + -al entry 1 or from chronology + -ical; chronologic from chronology + -ic entry 1, probably after French chronologique or New Latin chronologicus

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chronological

• chronological age

Rhymes for chronological

• analogical
• astrological
• biological
• christological
• cosmological
• cytological
• dialogical
• ecological
• ethnological
• ethological
• geological
• histological

Kids Definition

chronological

adjective

chro·​no·​log·​i·​cal ˌkrän-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

ˌkrō-nə-

: arranged in or according to the order of time

chronological order

a chronological table

chronologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb