chronological

adjective

chro·​no·​log·​i·​cal ˌkrä-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce chronological (audio)
ˌkrō-
variants or less commonly chronologic
ˌkrä-nə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce chronological (audio)
ˌkrō-
: of, relating to, or arranged in or according to the order of time
chronological tables of American history
His art is arranged in chronological order.
also : reckoned in units of time
chronological age
chronologically
ˌkrä-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce chronological (audio)
ˌkrō-
adverb

Examples of chronological in a Sentence

His art is displayed in roughly chronological order. a chronological account of their trip
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.
Our picks, listed in chronological order, do not include concerts that are already sold out. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 Here are top 10 moments of the Campbell era in chronological order: 1. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025 That backstory comes well before the suggestion of an imminent apocalypse that lends a dread-like quality to the trailer for a movie told in reverse chronological order. — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 For those looking to dive into the multiverse and start a film binge-watch, there are two ways to view them: by release date (a.k.a. phase order) or by chronological order, which would start with Captain America: The First Avenger. — Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chronological

Word History

Etymology

chonological from chronologic + -al entry 1 or from chronology + -ical; chronologic from chronology + -ic entry 1, probably after French chronologique or New Latin chronologicus

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronological was in 1614

Phrases Containing chronological

Rhymes for chronological

See All Rhymes for chronological

Browse Nearby Words

chronologer
chronological
chronological age
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chronological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronological. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

chronological

adjective
chro·​no·​log·​i·​cal ˌkrän-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce chronological (audio)
ˌkrō-nə-
: arranged in or according to the order of time
chronological order
a chronological table
chronologically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

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