Timeline Definition, Examples & How to Use

Meaning 1：time chart (Timeline)

Timeline 🔊

/ˈtaɪmˌlaɪn/

A line that shows the order of events over time, like a chart for history or projects.

Timeline chart showing events in chronological order

time chart 🔊

➕

/taɪm tʃɑːrt/

A diagram that shows the order of events in a given period of time.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combination of 'time' (from Old English tīma) and 'line' (from Old English līne).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a line that marks the time of events. Picture a horizontal ruler with dates.

📖 Example

For my science project, I made a timeline to show the steps from idea to finish. 🔊 For my science project, I made a timeline to show the steps from idea to finish.

🔗 Collocations

create a timeline – to make a chronological chart of events

timeline of events – a sequence of occurrences listed in time order

project timeline – the schedule of tasks and milestones for a project

🔄 Synonyms

schedule (n.) – a plan listing the times of events or tasks

chronology (n.) – the arrangement of events in the order they occurred

timetable (n.) – a schedule showing the times at which events are planned to happen

📖 Cultural Story

First recorded in the 19th century, 'timeline' originally referred to a chronological line. It became widely used in project management after the development of Gantt charts during WWI.