A timeline is a visual way of showing when events happened in order, usually drawn as a line with dates and descriptions marked along it. If you were studying Ancient Egypt, you might create a timeline showing when the pyramids were built, when different pharaohs ruled, and when Egypt was conquered by other empires. A timeline helps you see what happened and when things happened compared to each other.

In school, timelines help you understand history by making the sequence of events clear. You might notice that the American Revolution happened before the Civil War, or see how much time passed between them. Personal timelines can show your own life events: when you were born, when you started school, and when your family moved.

The word also means the expected schedule for something to be completed. A teacher might give you a timeline for finishing a research project, with deadlines for choosing your topic, completing research, and writing your final report. When someone asks, “What's the timeline on that?” they're asking how long something will take. If you're planning a surprise party, you might work backward from the party date to create a timeline: when to send invitations, when to buy decorations, and when to order the cake.