noun
Common
timeline
TYM-lyn
Timeline (noun) means a visual representation of events set out in the order they happened or will happen. Example: “Our teacher drew a timeline on the board showing the main events of the story.”
noun
1
A visual representation of events set out in the order they happened or will happen.
"Our teacher drew a timeline on the board showing the main events of the story."
"The website has an interactive timeline of the invention of the telephone."
"The museum display included a timeline of the war."
2
A schedule of planned activities and deadlines.
"The builder gave us a timeline for the kitchen work, with a deadline for each stage."
"If we miss the first deadline, the whole timeline will have to change."
"The project timeline was tight but achievable."
3
The scrolling feed of posts on a social media account.
"I scrolled down my timeline and saw lots of posts about the football match."
"She checks her timeline every morning before she leaves for work."
"Her timeline was full of holiday photos."
How to use timeline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chronological sequence of events, a project schedule, or a social media feed.
Common pairings
project timeline
tight timeline
scroll the timeline
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Word forms
- Plural
- timelines
- Third person singular
- timelines
- Past tense
- timelined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our teacher drew a _____ on the board showing the main events of the story.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of time + line.
Related words
Rhymes for timeline
See all rhymes for timeline →Frequently asked questions
What does “timeline” mean?
The word “timeline” means a visual representation of events set out in the order they happened or will happen. In plain terms, a chronological sequence of events, a project schedule, or a social media feed.
How do you pronounce “timeline”?
“Timeline” is pronounced TYM-lyn (/ˈtaɪmˌlaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “timeline” in a sentence?
Here is “timeline” used in a sentence: “The museum display included a timeline of the war.”
What part of speech is “timeline”?
“Timeline” is a noun.
Is “timeline” a common word?
“Timeline” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “timeline” have?
“Timeline” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a visual representation of events set out in the order they happened or will happen.
What is the difference between a "timeline" and a "deadline"?
A "timeline" is the whole sequence of events or planned activities set out in order, often marked with several milestones. A "deadline" is a single fixed point by which something must be finished. A timeline may contain many deadlines along the way.
What is the difference between a "timeline" and a "schedule"?
A "timeline" shows events in the order they happened or will happen, often as a visual representation stretching across a period. A "schedule" focuses on the specific times and dates on which activities take place. Timelines emphasise sequence and the overall picture, while schedules emphasise exact timing.
Is "timeline" one word or two?
"Timeline" is now most commonly written as a single word. The two-word form "time line" is older and rarely seen in modern writing.
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