subplot

noun

sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
1
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
2
: a subdivision of an experimental plot of land

Examples of subplot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Hence the infamous playacting subplot in her 1814 novel Mansfield Park, a novel written when Austen was at her professional peak. Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025 This subplot reared its head again this week, when the Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur revealed even more details about Robertson’s requests of the Raptors that summer. Sam Amick, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025 The mirror plot device exists across The Conjuring films, along with fictional subplots and characters, as could be expected from a dramatic Hollywood movie retelling. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025 Those both come back around, as does another subplot about Alex (Jess McLeod), the estranged child of the recently deceased former sheriff who was not invited to the funeral, but comes home anyway. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subplot

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subplot was in 1812

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Cite this Entry

“Subplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subplot. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

subplot

noun
sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama

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