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

Instead, Yang said the factors determining Beijing’s timeline to take over Taiwan boil down to China’s domestic economic situation, the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities, Taiwan’s domestic political situation, as well as Washington’s policy toward Taiwan and China. —Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026

With one remaining year of eligibility, Craig fits nicely with TCU’s timeline at quarterback as the Horned Frogs will return redshirt freshman Adam Schobel next season and will also have true freshman Jack Daulton on the roster. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026

In November, de Meo dispatched a memo to all Kering employees, details of which were leaked to the press and reported in several newspapers and wire services, including a timeline giving the group 18 months to resize operations and return all brands to growth. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Jan. 2026

That can include lowering interest rates, reducing monthly payments, extending repayment timelines or, in some cases, settling for less than the full amount owed. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Kelce told The Star’s Sam McDowell about a timeline for his decision. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026

Matt Murphy, a partner at Menlo Ventures, said the chip sector remains a difficult one for venture investors, given the high capital requirements and long timelines. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026

When to Water Like many plants, there's no exact timeline for watering your Meyer lemon tree. —Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 5 Jan. 2026

Although this timeline of goals can work for a lot of people, everyone’s circumstances are different. —Veronica Bravo, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1b