What does schedule mean?
A schedule is a plan that organizes activities, appointments, performances, procedures, or services by assigning them times or positions in an overall programme. The word is used for many everyday systems, including train timetables, television listings, work rosters, construction programmes, and the planned sequence of a project. As a verb, “schedule” means to arrange an event or task for a future time or to enter it into such a plan. For example, a meeting may be scheduled for Monday, while a train may run according to schedule. In American English, “schedule” is particularly frequent in business, media, and transport contexts; British speakers also use it widely, although “timetable” may be preferred for transport and recurring activities. The word can imply careful advance planning, but “scheduled” does not necessarily mean that an event will actually occur as planned. Expressions such as “on schedule” and “behind schedule” describe progress in relation to an established timetable.
A plan, list, or timetable stating when activities, events, appointments, or stages in a process are to occur.
"The concert schedule includes two performances on Saturday."
The sense is broader than a simple list of clock times: a schedule may also prescribe an order of events or activities.
To arrange an event, activity, or task for a particular time, or to plan it as part of a future programme.
"The committee scheduled a public hearing for the following Tuesday."
Common in British and American English, especially in business, transport, broadcasting, medicine, and project management.
Operating, occurring, or formally arranged according to an established plan.
"A schedule 2 drug has a lower level of control than a schedule 1 drug."
This use is chiefly British and is especially associated with the names of legal drug schedules. In American usage, the adjectival sense is uncommon outside specialized contexts.
The plural is used for individual plans or timetables and for the entries contained in such a plan.
"The annual schedules of both clubs are available online."
A schedule began as a small sheet of paper—literally a piece of paper that organized a larger plan of action.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does schedule come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old French schedule, from Latin schedula, meaning “small sheet” or “small piece of paper.” Latin schedula was a diminutive of scheda, “sheet of paper,” a term borrowed from Greek. Related English words such as “schema,” “scheme,” and “schematic” also trace their histories to the same Greek root, relating broadly to plans, forms, and arrangements.
Related word forms
How schedule is actually used
In general use, “schedule” is neutral and common in British and American English. “Timetable” is especially frequent in British English for transport and school or work timetables, while “schedule” is particularly common in American English for business, transport, television, and project planning. As a verb, “schedule” means to arrange something for a future time; it does not merely mean to describe an existing arrangement.
Easily confused with schedule
A timetable primarily lists the times at which transport services or recurring activities occur, while a schedule can also refer more broadly to any planned programme of work or events.