timeline

noun

time·​line ˈtīm-ˌlīn 

variants or time line

plural timelines or time lines

1

a

: an arrangement or occurrence (as of past events) in time : chronology

After interviewing the suspect, the wardens pieced together a timeline of events and gathered enough evidence to file appropriate charges …

—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

b

: a visual representation of events associated with a particular period of time arranged chronologically along a line or in a linear format

The book also includes a timeline, showing which dinosaurs lived when and where, and how the Earth has changed over millions of years.

—The Children's Bookwatch

In her "Foundations of Western Civilization" course … Prof. Julia Gossard has her students create a timeline of the history of food …

—Thomas Keith

c

: a schedule of planned events, actions, etc. : timetable sense 2

With just under a year left until your nuptials, here's what's next on your wedding planning timeline.

—Sarah Hanlon

Giving the client a say in every step of the project could create a delay and throw off the timeline …

—Katie Bates

2

: a period of time especially with respect to some project or event : time frame

And what's the timeline for implementing these changes?

—Mark Sovel

The stakes are high, and the timeline is tight.

—Rio Longacre

… school districts can't open before Labor Day and must end by June 15. But to meet that compressed timeline … , districts have had to consider trade-offs.

—Donna St. George

3

: a stream of social media posts : feed sense 3e

Algorithmic timelines quietly replaced chronological ones, until our social-media feeds no longer took direction from us, but rather directed us where they wanted us to go.

—Yair Rosenberg

And if there's something funny … I make sure to Retweet so others can cleanse their timeline and enjoy.

—Andy Richardson

4

: a branch of a theoretical multiverse that exists in parallel with other branches

… the notion that we're surrounded by a multitude of parallel selves, one of which might be living in a better timeline than the one we're stuck in.

—S. I. Rosenbaum

—used especially in science fiction

… Dune: Awakening is set in an "alternate" timeline from the original Frank Herbert novels, where something has happened to change the course of history.

—Wes Fenlon

Examples of timeline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pictures, clear instructions, a smattering of scientific explanation and helpful recipe timelines showcase Leo’s exacting analytical mind and his life’s passion for baking. —Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Thus, the inclusion of critical minerals in the list of projects targets for streamlined permitting is an effort by the Trump/Burgum DOI to compress those lengthy timelines and give a nod to this reality. —David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Even in the Abrahamic faiths, grieving has a timeline and a structure. —Devi Brown, Time, 24 Apr. 2025

The board will discuss the timeline and process to fill the vacancy at its upcoming special board meeting on April 24. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

The list or a timeline of the dyes that will be phased out has not been released. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Casting and a production timeline for the musical was not announced. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025

Tracing that timeline shows how enduring this form has become, but also how much cushier it’s grown over time. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025

Tariff timeline: Tracking the evolution of Donald Trump's trade war 'Economic nuclear winter': Trump allies worried over tariffs Trump says the ultimate fruits of tariffs will be worth the pain. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1