subplot

noun

sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
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 One of most perplexing subplots to the disappointing end to the Dallas Cowboys season was the disappearing act of defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Feb. 2024 Television Anna Sawai’s ‘Shogun’ role felt personal: Mariko is ‘every woman in Japan who has suffered’ Feb. 25, 2024 There’s a lot of plot and subplot, and many secondary and tertiary characters to execute it. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 And that's to say nothing of the Super Bowl 47 rematch subplot. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 The legal subplot at least offers the potential of consequences to a series that has had difficulty establishing comic stakes for a while. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2024 Whether that hierarchy holds through February is one of many subplots worth watching as teams prepare for conference tournaments and Selection Sunday. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024 There were plenty of personal subplots in this loss to the Chiefs. John Wawrow, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 That this is the first time in their long histories that the programs are being held at the same time and same place provides the film a pointed subplot about gender parity — political, cultural and fiscal. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024 But Austen’s novel includes a delicious subplot in which Mansfield’s younger set put on a play. The Week Us, theweek, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subplot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subplot was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near subplot

Cite this Entry

“Subplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subplot. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

subplot

noun
sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama

More from Merriam-Webster on subplot

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