chronology
noun
chro·nol·o·gy
krə-ˈnä-lə-jē 
plural chronologies
1
: the science that deals with measuring time by regular divisions and that assigns to events their proper dates
2
: a chronological table, list, or account
a chronology of the author's works
3
: an arrangement (as of events) in order of occurrence
reconstruct the chronology of the trip
The book provides a chronology of events leading up to the American Civil War.
Did you know?
History is much more than a simple chronology of events, but keeping events in chronological order is the first essential step in thinking about it. When, for example, historians try to show how World War I prepared the way for World War II, tracking the chronology of the events in the years between the two wars can help in explaining a complicated historical era.
Examples of chronology in a Sentence
We tried to reconstruct the chronology of the accident.
The book provides a chronology of the events leading up to the American Civil War.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pain, in these lines, is the enemy of story—of chronology, and maybe even of creativity itself.
—
Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
The film unfolds in five chapters from across five years of Agnes’ life, told out of chronology.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025
Much work is to be done, including filling in large gaps of the site’s chronology between the Roman and medieval eras.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
The show’s strength comes from its material, which is organized in a mix of chronology, style and movement.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronology
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Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
The film unfolds in five chapters from across five years of Agnes’ life, told out of chronology.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025
Much work is to be done, including filling in large gaps of the site’s chronology between the Roman and medieval eras.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
The show’s strength comes from its material, which is organized in a mix of chronology, style and movement.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronology
Cite this Entry
“Chronology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronology. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chronology
noun
chro·nol·o·gy
krə-ˈnäl-ə-jē
plural chronologies
1
: the science that deals with measuring time and dating events
2
: a chronological table or list
chronologist
noun
-jəst
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