storyline

noun

sto·​ry·​line ˈstȯr-ē-ˌlīn 

variants or less commonly story line

plural storylines also story lines

1

: a plotline of a story, drama, or game

HBO's Insecure has been an exquisite platform of compelling, nuanced, mature storylines for Black TV comedy during its run.

—Matthew Allen

Pointless, menial objectives in a game distract from the main storyline and dilute the impact of more fun, engrossing missions.

—Teddy Amenabar

The two story lines, each with its own compelling view of love, coalesce in a dramatic and surprising ending.

—Martha Toll

also : story sense 1a

I've long wondered how the brain fits such unexpected sounds so smoothly and adroitly into dreams. The suggestion that the brain always brings phenomena to awareness a split second after they actually occur—in order to construct a plausible storyline for their appearance—offers a possible answer.

—Robert Levy

2

: a matter of particular importance, concern, or interest to an audience

—used especially in sports

The main storyline for the Timberwolves is the addition of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

—Tyler Schmidt

The fact Ovechkin has brought the impossible record within reach changes the way you watch the game. … Because Gretzky's goal total is the ultimate individual record in the sport, the chase trumps every other storyline surrounding this team from now until Ovechkin gets there.

—J. J. Regan

often : one that is evolving or developing

The offensive line is a major storyline to watch throughout training camp and the preseason, especially considering there's a new quarterback under center for the fifth consecutive season.

—Kevin Hickey

Synonyms

• action
• plot
• story

Examples of storyline in a Sentence

the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information

Recent Examples on the Web

And then my necessity is derived from that—someone else’s storyline. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025

Most-clicked in our last newsletter: Jayson Stark’s 2025 MLB spring training survey, where a panel of execs, coaches and scouts gave their thoughts on the players, teams and storylines to watch. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025

Executives brought in both animators and toy designers who worked together to create characters and storylines. —Alana Semuels, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

Adult Tai's storyline is still somewhat lost and needs more connection to what the character was up to in Season 1 (remember the dog?). —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

The happy ending to that storyline is, not surprisingly, for this show that just keeps the hits coming, short-lived. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines going into the event: No Sharon the spotlight: A year after four wrestlers added their names to the list of four-time champions in state history, only one senior has a shot at joining that exclusive club this weekend: Fowler’s Traven Sharon. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025

As the storyline for Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue unfolds in flashbacks, the plane crash survivors race to solve the deadly mystery before they, too, fall victim to the unseen killer. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025

Any personal runners, personal storylines, for any of the characters? For sure. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1