timeline
timeline — noun
1. a line, diagram, or list that shows events in the order they happened, from the
a line, diagram, or list that shows events in the order they happened, from the earliest to the most recent — often used in history, biographies, or project plans to make the sequence of events easy to understand at a glance.
The museum displayed a <hw>timeline</hw> of the Ming dynasty with key battles and inventions marked.
collocation: a timeline of [topic]
Salma drew a <hw>timeline</hw> of her life from birth through college for a school project.
subject: person creating a timeline
The textbook opens with a <hw>timeline</hw> of the major scientific discoveries of the twentieth century.
The teacher asked the class to make a <hw>timeline</hw> of the French Revolution with ten key dates.
- chronology
more formal, often refers to the sequence itself rather than a visual representation
- time chart
less common; emphasises the visual/graphic format
文法句型
a timeline of [something]
用法筆記
Often followed by of + a topic or period. A timeline can be a drawn line, an infographic, or simply a chronological list. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 focuses on past events already completed; sense 2 looks forward to future deadlines.
常見錯誤
2. a plan that lists the expected dates and time needed for each stage of a project
a plan that lists the expected dates and time needed for each stage of a project, product launch, or process — so that everyone involved knows when things must be finished.
The construction team agreed on an eighteen-month <hw>timeline</hw> for the new apartment building.
collocation: timeline for [project]
Benjamin asked his manager for a realistic <hw>timeline</hw> before promising the client a delivery date.
The wedding planner gave the couple a <hw>timeline</hw> from the venue booking to the cake order.
The product team worked hard to meet the launch <hw>timeline</hw> despite delays from the supplier.
文法句型
a timeline for [project/task]
set a timeline
within a timeline
用法筆記
Frequently used with set, agree on, meet, or stick to. The timeline for sense 2 looks forward (future deadlines) whereas sense 1 looks backward (past events). Subject is often a team, company, or project manager.
常見錯誤
3. the connected series of important events, changes, or stages that a person, orga
the connected series of important events, changes, or stages that a person, organization, or place has experienced over a period of time — like a biography condensed into major milestones.
The documentary traces the <hw>timeline</hw> of the artist's career from her first gallery show to international fame.
collocation: trace the timeline of [someone]
Joon's book follows a clear <hw>timeline</hw> of his childhood in Seoul and his move to Vancouver.
The article presents the <hw>timeline</hw> of the company's growth from a startup to a global brand.
The feature traces the <hw>timeline</hw> of how the neighborhood changed after the new train station opened.
文法句型
the timeline of [someone/something]
用法筆記
Usually singular. Commonly paired with trace, follow, or present. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 tells a story about ONE subject's life or development, while sense 1 is a broad ordering of many separate events across a period.
常見錯誤
4. one of two or more separate sequences of events that exist within a fictional st
one of two or more separate sequences of events that exist within a fictional story, each set at a different time or running alongside one another — common in tales involving time travel, parallel worlds, or flashbacks across different periods.
The sci-fi film follows two separate <hw>timelines</hw> — one set in 1995 and the other in 2085.
pattern: two separate timelines — one in [year], the other in [year]
Players switch between a past <hw>timeline</hw> and a future one to unlock hidden clues in the game.
Nellie drew a diagram to track the three parallel <hw>timelines</hw> in the fantasy novel she was reading.
The TV series explores what happens when a hero changes a major event in an earlier <hw>timeline</hw>.
- alternate reality
broader; a timeline focuses on the sequence of events, not the whole world
- storyline
timeline emphasises chronological structure; storyline emphasises plot and character
文法句型
alternate timeline
parallel timeline
multiple timelines
用法筆記
Often plural because the concept implies at least two coexisting sequences. Frequently appears with alternate, parallel, split, or multiple. Common in reviews and discussions of time-travel or multiverse stories.
5. the area on a social media platform where updates, photos, videos, and posts fro
the area on a social media platform where updates, photos, videos, and posts from a user and the people they follow appear in reverse chronological order — newest content at the top.
Christopher found an old photo from his graduation party while scrolling his Facebook <hw>timeline</hw>.
The charity posted the fundraising results on their <hw>timeline</hw> so supporters could see the total raised.
collocation: post on [someone's] timeline
Hoa adjusted her privacy settings so only close friends could see posts on her <hw>timeline</hw>.
Élise shared a video of her cooking class on her <hw>timeline</hw> and got over a hundred likes.
文法句型
on someone's timeline
scroll through a timeline
用法筆記
Specific to social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X (though Twitter uses 'feed' rather than 'timeline'). A user's timeline shows their own posts plus friends' activity. Distinguish from sense 2: a social media timeline is a livestream of content, not a forward-looking plan.
常見錯誤
6. the total amount of time allowed or available for completing a project, task, or
the total amount of time allowed or available for completing a project, task, or activity — often stated as a specific period such as three months or two years.
The research team must finish the data collection within a six-month <hw>timeline</hw> set by the funding agency.
pattern: within a [duration] timeline
Reema asked the client to confirm the project <hw>timeline</hw> before the designers began the mock-up phase.
The court gave both legal teams a strict <hw>timeline</hw> of sixty days to submit their written arguments.
The architect warned that the project needed a longer <hw>timeline</hw> due to the poor soil conditions.
- time frame
interchangeable; time frame is slightly more formal
- duration
refers only to length, not to deadlines or milestones
- window
suggests a narrower or more flexible period
文法句型
within a [number]-[unit] timeline
a timeline of [duration]
用法筆記
Often used in formal or business contexts. Frequently paired with adjectives such as strict, tight, realistic, six-month, or two-year. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 is a detailed plan with individual deadlines; sense 6 is simply the total duration boundary.