storyline

noun

sto·​ry·​line 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

• story
• plot
• action

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

Among them is the role of Vilnius in the film’s storyline, the inclusion of local creators and film professionals working in the city, as well as the broader economic benefits for Vilnius. —Annika Pham, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025

The new limited series picks up five years after that storyline, delving further into the timeline where a horrible virus turned Earth's mightiest heroes (and villains) into flesh-eating monsters. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025

On this episode of the Miami Herald’s Heat Check, Anthony Chiang and John Devine break down some of the biggest Heat storylines entering training camp. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

But if Wentz can do it again on Sunday, the storyline in Minnesota will be quarterback controversy. —John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025

The series follows two main storylines. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

Drop a comment with your thoughts, including your favorite Monica-centric storylines, below. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025

The Rise and Fall of the Tween Genre In the 2000s and early 2010s, shows centered on middle school and high school life—albeit with escapist storylines—exploded in popularity. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

The original reports offered a tidy storyline. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for storyline

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine