plotline

noun

plot·​line ˈplät-ˌlīn How to pronounce plotline (audio)
: a connected series of occurrences that form the plot or part of the plot in a story or drama

Examples of plotline in a Sentence

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 film also felt a bit overstuffed at times with multiple plotlines – multiple villains, Sink’s character’s plot, the United States Department of Damage Control, Hulk, and a few other things here and there. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 That holds true with another slow-to-develop plotline that should remain a secret — shame on anyone who reveals it. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 This post spoils Ransom Canyon Season 2, specifically details around Lauren, Kit and Lucas’ plotlines. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 24 July 2026 The vulnerability involved in a reunion drew me to that plotline for sure, especially the courage required to try anything again. — Literary Hub, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plotline

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plotline was in 1952

Rhymes for plotline

See All Rhymes for plotline

Browse Nearby Words

plotlessness
plotline
plotosid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plotline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plotline. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on plotline

Nglish: Translation of plotline for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All