Schedule

I. sched‧ule¹ S2 W3 AC /ˈʃedjuːl, ˈske- $ ˈskedʒʊl, -dʒəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: verb: ↑schedule, ↑reschedule; adjective: scheduled, rescheduled; noun: ↑schedule]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: cedule 'piece of paper, note', from Late Latin schedula, from Latin scheda 'sheet of papyrus']
1. a plan of what someone is going to do and when they are going to do it
on schedule (=at the planned time)
The majority of holiday flights depart and arrive on schedule.
ahead of/behind schedule (=before or after the planned time)
Meg’s new book is still well ahead of schedule.
How can he fit everything into his busy schedule?
I’m going to be working to a very tight schedule (=including a lot of things that must be done in a short time).
2. American English a list that shows the times that buses, trains etc leave or arrive at a particular place SYN timetable British English
3. a formal list of something, for example prices:
a schedule of postal charges
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ schedule a detailed plan of what someone is going to do and when they will do it, especially someone important: He has a very busy schedule. | The President’s schedule includes a two-day visit to St Petersburg.
▪ timetable British English, schedule American English a written list that shows the exact times when something will happen, for example when planes or buses leave, or when classes at school take place: The timetable said there was another train at 6.15. | According to the class schedule, English 104 is at 10 am in Royce Hall.
▪ programme British English, program American English a plan that shows the order of activities at a ceremony, sports meeting, public event etc: Who is organizing the conference programme? | the next event on the program
▪ agenda a list of the subjects that will be discussed at a meeting: Attached is the agenda for the budget committee meeting. | the final item on the agenda
▪ timeline a plan for when things will happen or how long you think something will take – used especially in business English: The timeline for the project is less than six months from start to finish. | What is the usual timeline from the sale of a house to the day you can move in?
▪ itinerary a plan or list of the places you will visit on a journey, usually with the date or time that you will be there: The Travel Pack includes a detailed itinerary, maps, and a travel guide. | Let me know your itinerary when you know it.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

schedule

sched·ule AW [schedule schedules scheduled scheduling] noun, verb [ˈʃedjuːl] [ˈskedʒuːl]

noun
1. countable, uncountable a plan that lists all the work that you have to do and when you must do each thing
• I have a hectic schedule for the next few days.
• We're working to a tight schedule (= we have a lot of things to do in a short time).
• Filming began on schedule (= at the planned time).
• The new bridge has been finished two years ahead of schedule.
• The tunnel project has already fallen behind schedule.

• We are trying desperately to keep to our schedule.

2. countable (NAmE) = timetable
• a train schedule

• Chinese will be on the school schedule from next year.

3. countable a list of the television and radio programmes that are on a particular channel and the times that they start
• The channel's schedules are filled with old films and repeats.

• Channel 4 has published its spring schedules.

4. countable a written list of things, for example prices, rates or conditions
• tax schedules
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘scroll, explanatory note, appendix’): from Old French cedule, from late Latin schedula ‘slip of paper’, diminutive of scheda, from Greek skhedē ‘papyrus leaf’. The verb dates from the mid 19th cent.
Thesaurus:
schedule noun C, U
• We're working to a tight schedule.
timetable • • itinerary • • diary • • calendar • • agenda • |BrE programme • |AmE program •
be/put sth in the/your schedule/timetable/itinerary/diary/calendar/programme
on the schedule/timetable/itinerary/calendar/agenda/programme
a busy/full/packed schedule/timetable/diary/calendar/agenda/programme
checl/consult the/your schedule/timetable/diary/calendar
Schedule or timetable? A schedule is usually a plan of what must happen; a timetable is often a plan of what you hope will happen
• work/production schedules
• the government's timetable for the peace talks

Which Word?:
agenda / diary / schedule / timetable
A book with a space for each day where you write down things that you have to do in the future is called a diary or a datebook (NAmE) (not an agenda). You may also have a calendar on your desk or hanging up in your room, where you write down your appointments. A diary or a journal is also the record that some people keep of what has happened during the day: ▪ the Diary of Anne Frank.
In BrE your schedule is a plan that lists all the work that you have to do and when you must do each thing and a timetable is a list showing the fixed times at which events will happen: a ▪ bus/train timetable. In NAmE these are both called a schedule.
Example Bank:
• Allow time in the schedule for sickness.
• At this stage everything is going according to schedule.
• Connor checked the bus schedules for the day.
• I'm trying to fit everything into my busy schedule.
• She has a very demanding schedule.
• The president took time out of his busy schedule to visit our school.
• The project is right on schedule.
• We had to work a lot of overtime to meet the strict production schedule.
• We have a tight schedule to keep.
• We're five days off schedule.
• We're starting to slip behind schedule.
• disruptions to flight schedules caused by the strike
• Filming began on schedule.
• The new bridge has been finished two years ahead of schedule.
• The show trebled ratings for the channel's afternoon schedule.
• The tunnel project has already fallen behind schedule.
• What's your schedule like next semester?
• a bus/flight/train schedule

Derived Word: scheduler

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

schedule / ˈʃed.juːl / / ˈsked- / noun [ C ]

B2 a list of planned activities or things to be done showing the times or dates when they are intended to happen or be done:

a production schedule

a hectic/tight (= very busy) schedule

Everything went according to schedule (= as had been planned) .

B1 US ( UK timetable ) a list of the times when events are planned to happen, especially the times when buses, trains, and planes leave and arrive formal an official list of things:

a schedule of business expenses

ahead of schedule B2 early:

We expect the building work to be completed ahead of schedule.

on schedule

B2 not early or late

fall behind schedule

to do less work than you planned to do by a particular point in time

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

schedule

[ʃe̱djuːl, AM ske̱ʤuːl]
♦♦
schedules, scheduling, scheduled
1) N-COUNT A schedule is a plan that gives a list of events or tasks and the times at which each one should happen or be done.
  He has been forced to adjust his schedule...
  We both have such hectic schedules.
  Syn:
  timetable
2) N-UNCOUNT: prep N You can use schedule to refer to the time or way something is planned to be done. For example, if something is completed on schedule, it is completed at the time planned.
  The jet arrived in Johannesburg two minutes ahead of schedule...
  Everything went according to schedule...
  It will be completed several weeks behind schedule.
3) VERB: usu passive If something is scheduled to happen at a particular time, arrangements are made for it to happen at that time.
  [be V-ed to-inf] The space shuttle had been scheduled to blast off at 04:38...
  [be V-ed for n] A presidential election was scheduled for last December...
  [V-ed] No new talks are scheduled.
4) N-COUNT A schedule is a written list of things, for example a list of prices, details, or conditions.
  Syn:
  list
5) N-COUNT A schedule is a list of all the times when trains, boats, buses, or aircraft are supposed to arrive at or leave a particular place. [mainly AM]
  ...a bus schedule.
  Syn:
  timetable(in BRIT, usually use timetable)
6) N-COUNT In a school or college, a schedule is a diagram that shows the times in the week at which particular subjects are taught. [AM]
  Syn:
  timetable(in BRIT, usually use timetable)

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹sched·ule /ˈskɛˌʤuːl, Brit ˈʃɛˌdjuːl/ noun, pl -ules
1 : a plan of things that will be done and the times when they will be done

[count]

• I have a hectic/busy/full schedule this week.
• Students are planning their class/course schedules for next year.
• I have a flexible schedule [=I can change the times when I need to do things], so I can meet you at any time.
• Sorting the mail is part of her daily schedule.
• We have a tight schedule to get this project done. [=we have a small amount of time to finish the project]

[noncount]

• The bus arrived on schedule. [=on time; arrived at the time it was expected]
• So far, everything is on schedule. [=everything is happening at the time that was planned]
• The builders were ahead of schedule. [=the builders were completing work earlier than planned]
• If we get too far behind/off schedule [=if we do things later than planned] we will not be able to catch up later.
• The project is going according to schedule. [=things are happening as planned]
2 [count]
a : a written or printed list of things and the times when they will be done
• I lost my class/course schedule.
b US : a list of the times when buses, trains, airplanes, etc., leave or arrive
• a bus/train/airplane/flight schedule [=(Brit) timetable]
c : a list of the television or radio programs that are on a particular channel and the times that they begin
• a programming schedule
d : a list of prices or rates
• the doctor's fee schedule
• a tax schedule