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Meaning & use

timeline

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtaɪmlaɪn/
US/ˈtaɪmlaɪn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A line or chart that shows events in the order in which they happened.

    Grammar: Countable: draw a timeline, two timelines.

    Patterns

    • a timeline of something
    • on the timeline

    The students drew a timeline of the Roman Empire.

    A museum panel shows a timeline of space travel.

    She marked the key events on the timeline.

  2. nouncountablebusiness

    A plan stating when each stage of a project should be done.

    Grammar: Often with for: a timeline for the launch.

    Patterns

    • a timeline for something
    • set a timeline

    The manager shared a timeline for the product launch.

    We need a realistic timeline for the repairs.

    The contractor missed the agreed timeline.

  3. nouncountable

    The order and timing of events as they unfolded, as used in a story or investigation.

    Grammar: Usually singular: the timeline of the crime.

    Patterns

    • the timeline of something

    Detectives rebuilt the timeline of the night.

    The film jumps around its timeline in confusing ways.

    The witness's account did not match the timeline.

  4. nouncountablecomputing

    A feed of posts on a social media site, shown in order of time.

    Grammar: Countable: your timeline, a busy timeline.

    Patterns

    • on my timeline

    My timeline was full of holiday photos.

    She scrolled through her timeline before bed.

    The post appeared at the top of his timeline.

Word forms

pluraltimelines

Common combinations

draw a timeline
Draw a timeline before you write the essay.
tight timeline
We are working on a tight timeline.
realistic timeline
The team set a realistic timeline for delivery.
timeline of events
The report included a timeline of events.
set a timeline
Let's set a timeline for the move.

Synonyms and how they differ

schedule
A schedule lists exact times for tasks, while a timeline shows the overall order and span.
chronology
Chronology is a formal word for events in order, while timeline can also be a visual chart or plan.
deadline
A deadline is a single date by which something must be done, whereas a timeline covers the whole sequence.
itinerary
An itinerary is a plan for a journey, but a timeline is general.

Word family

time noun
the ongoing sequence of moments
line noun
a long thin mark
timeframe noun
the period in which something happens
timetable noun
a list of times for events or travel

Commonly confused: timeline or timetable? timeline or deadline?

timeline vs timetable

A timetable lists set times for classes or trains, while a timeline places events along a span of time.

timeline vs deadline

A deadline is one final date, not a whole sequence.

Practice

The project manager shared a ___ showing when each phase of the website redesign would be finished.

Make it your own

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