subplot

noun

sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät 

1

: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama

2

: a subdivision of an experimental plot of land

Examples of subplot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also a subplot involving John being blackmailed by a café waitress regarding him punching Hal right before he was killed. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

The film’s subplot is a love story between the farmer and the vet, except the growth potion complicates the farmer’s attraction. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Every other subplot was the product of ESPN’s poor handling of the situation and Clark accusing us of conspiring with his former bosses. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Here, those extra voices vastly outnumber the two main characters, leading to a profusion of confusing subplots that stray away from the main themes. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subplot

noun

sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät 

: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama