chronology

noun

chro·​nol·​o·​gy krə-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce chronology (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Platform 2 seems to commence from the aftermath of that revolutionary gesture, even as the eventual reintroduction of a familiar face calls the chronology of events into question. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2024 The later chronology, meanwhile, is sometimes blurred by the wearying cyclical repetition of addiction itself. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 This is compounded by the second big change: The chronology is simply abandoned entirely in the process. Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 The early stretches of the memoir are told in detailed ramblings, but as the chronology progresses, Lisa Marie’s dispatches grow shorter and shorter. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chronology 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin chronologia, from chrono- chrono- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronology was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near chronology

Cite this Entry

“Chronology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronology. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

chronology

noun
chro·​nol·​o·​gy krə-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce chronology (audio)
plural chronologies
1
: the science that deals with measuring time and dating events
2
: a chronological table or list
chronologist
-jəst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chronology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!