subplot

noun

sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
1
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
2
: a subdivision of an experimental plot of land

Examples of subplot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There’s also a romantic subplot between Selena Gomez, who plays the cartel leader’s wife, and Édgar Ramírez, as a guy who wears tank tops. Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024 Amid all the relationship drama is a hilarious subplot involving Mandy’s brother Connor. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024 The funeral takes place at St. Paul’s Cathedral; later, a subplot about potential Scottish secession takes the entire production up north. Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 Partly this is thanks to the fact that there are none of the show’s worst subplots to be found. Erik Kain, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subplot 

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subplot was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near subplot

Cite this Entry

“Subplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subplot. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

subplot

noun
sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama

More from Merriam-Webster on subplot

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