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

From the moment this year’s Rose Bowl matchup was set, the head coaches became the most intriguing storyline of this College Football Playoff quarterfinal. —Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

The various honors are voted on by players and coaches as soon as the season ends, and because of that the results tend to get lost amid the jumble of other storylines from locker clean-out day and the head coach’s and general manager’s end-of-season news conference. —Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

Orbiting around this central plot is a host of other storylines, some more peripheral than others. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024

Ridley’s return is one of the few storylines in a game with no postseason implications aside from setting the 2025 NFL draft order. —Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Dec. 2024

The Santa Clause actor went on to praise the writing and storyline. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

Another part of Sean’s storyline this season was his food truck business, which seems to be flourishing. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024

More importantly, will Bree and Roger’s storyline ever not feel shoehorned into this thing? —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024

Large expansions include new Old Ones and storylines, such as Masks of Nyarlathotep based on the classic Call of Cthulhu campaign. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1