timeline

Everyday

1. A timeline is a line or chart showing events in the order they happened, with times marked along it. tree →
2. A timeline is also a plan of when things need to be done. tree →
3. On social media, a timeline is the list of posts you see, newest first. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, pupils make timelines of the Romans, Vikings or their own lives, putting events in order from earliest to latest. In maths, a timeline works like a number line, so you can count the years between two events by subtracting. In project work, a timeline shows deadlines. Phrases: «on a timeline», «make a timeline», «put in order».

Examples

• We made a timeline of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. tree →
• Put these events in order on the timeline. tree →
• My timeline shows when I learned to walk and talk. tree →
• The timeline goes from left to right. tree →
• Our project timeline says we finish next week. tree →
• Use the timeline to count how many years apart the events were. tree →
• The scientist drew a timeline of the dinosaurs. tree →
• New posts appear at the top of your timeline. tree →

Note

Countable; one word. In maths, a timeline is like a number line: the gap between two points is found by subtracting the earlier from the later. Be careful with BC: on a timeline BC numbers get bigger the further back you go.