level

1 of 3

noun

lev·​el ˈle-vəl How to pronounce level (audio)
plural levels
1
: a device for establishing a horizontal line or plane by means of a bubble in a liquid that shows adjustment to the horizontal by movement to the center of a slightly bowed glass tube
2
: a measurement of the difference of altitude of two points by means of a level
3
: horizontal condition
especially : equilibrium of a fluid marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude
water seeks its own level
4
a
: an approximately horizontal line or surface taken as an index of altitude
Charts were arranged at eye level.
b
: a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land)
the level of the plateau
5
: a position in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, or value)
funded at the national level
The job appeals to me on many levels.
6
a
: a line or surface that cuts perpendicularly all plumb lines that it meets and hence would everywhere coincide with a surface of still water
b
: the plane of the horizon or a line in it
7
: a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportation
8
: a concentration of a constituent especially of a body fluid (such as blood)
a normal blood-sugar level
9
: the magnitude of a quantity considered in relation to an arbitrary reference value
broadly : magnitude, intensity
a high level of hostility
10
: one of a series of discrete parts through which a player moves or progresses during the course of a game (such as a video game)
A commonly held belief among developers is that the opening level of a well-programmed game teaches the player what thematic rules to anticipate going forward.Salvatore Pane

level

2 of 3

verb

leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling ˈle-və-liŋ How to pronounce level (audio)
ˈlev-liŋ

transitive verb

1
: to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level
level a field
level off a house lot
2
a
: to bring to a horizontal aiming position
b
: aim, direct
leveled a charge of fraud
3
: to bring to a common level or plane : equalize
love levels all ranksW. S. Gilbert
4
a
: to lay level with or as if with the ground : raze
b
: to knock down
leveled him with one punch
5
: to make (something, such as color) even or uniform
6
: to find the heights of different points in (a piece of land) especially with a surveyor's level

intransitive verb

1
: to attain or come to a level
The plane leveled off at 10,000 feet.
see also level up
2
: to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally
3
: to bring persons or things to a level
4
: to deal frankly and openly

level

3 of 3

adjective

1
a
: having no part higher than another : conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surface
b
: parallel with the plane of the horizon : horizontal
2
a
: even or unvarying in height
b
: equal in advantage, progression, or standing
c
: proceeding monotonously or uneventfully
d(1)
: steady, unwavering
gave him a level look
(2)
: calm, unexcited
spoke in level tones
3
: reasonable, balanced
arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affairSir Winston Churchill
4
: distributed evenly
level stress
5
: being a surface perpendicular to all lines of force in a field of force : equipotential
6
: suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or achievement
top-level thinking
7
: of or relating to the spreading out of a cost or charge in even payments over a period of time
levelly adverb
levelness noun
Phrases
on the level level best
: very best
Choose the Right Synonym for level

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities.

level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Examples of level in a Sentence

Noun The pictures were hung on the wall at eye level. The pictures were hung at different levels. There was a high level of alcohol in his blood. a normal level of intelligence Prices have risen to a new level. She rose to the level of manager. She has reached a rare level of financial success. These problems affect people at all levels of society. Can this problem be dealt with at a national level or must it be addressed at an international level? Verb They will level the field. We need to level the garden before we plant anything. The earthquake leveled the city. He leveled his opponent with a right hook. The robber leveled a gun at his head. Several complaints have been leveled at the store. Criticism has been leveled against the government for not responding to this crisis. Adjective We pitched the tent on level ground. an airplane in level flight Interest rates have remained level.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The group comprises women employed by Disney between April 2015 and three months before trial, which is set to start in October next year, below the level of vice president. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Where spring performance could matter for veteran players, to an extent at least, is with the confidence level of players coming off a down year or down years. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Eichmann questioned the impact this could have on police and what could happen if police would not be able to respond immediately and the noise level changed in the meantime. Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 The share of theatrical films directed by people of color hit 22.8%, up 6% from the previous year and nearly double the level in 2011. Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Wendy Redford and Mandy Boltz from Wesley Community and Health Centers said patients will receive the same level of care a mother and child could expect at a brick-and-mortar clinic. The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 However, some scientists disagree with Colossal’s focus on de-extinction given the staggering levels of extinction that remain ongoing. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 One challenge the film presented was the different levels of integration of disabled people in Western and Eastern societies and the general familiarity with people with special needs among Chinese audiences. Ed Meza, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Sometimes, lactase levels never get low enough to cause lactose intolerance. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
There was no shortage of action though in the game, with the teams level 2-2 after extra-time before the US won 3-1 on penalties. Ben Morse, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Leaking 500-gallon propane tank appeared to cause leak that leveled home The investigation into the explosion continues. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Ghana overturned an early deficit to level the aggregate score in the second half and quickly responded to another Zambian goal, but Barbra Banda delivered the knockout blow deep into stoppage time and sent the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium into raptures. Neel Shelat, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Winds this high can cause major damage to homes and other structures and level hundreds of trees. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024 Never mind that visiting Inter Miami had just leveled the score. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Brick-and-mortar schools were often leveled by the Taliban as soon as they were built. Hannah Fish, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Feb. 2024 But Take Note While installing the base was a breeze, our tester noted that leveling the car seat was a frustrating experience. Jessica Booth, Parents, 14 Feb. 2024 In his interview with GB News, Anderson criticized the police response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London, leveling the blame on Khan. TIME, 24 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The paved trail passes through Dublin pretty much in a straight line and is absolutely level, running along the 1890s Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 But Take Note Rather than having a level indicator on the base, there is just a blue line on the seat itself to tell when the seat is level, which didn’t really please our tester. Jessica Booth, Parents, 14 Feb. 2024 If the bricks aren't level, or the mortar thickness isn't exactly right, judges can deduct from the overall total. Conor Knighton, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2024 Fossil would barely be able to compete with Samsung if the playing field were level; but add to that Samsung's exclusive chips and Google's preferential treatment, and Fossil's watches never stood a chance. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2024 The pounding pulse doesn’t come from the hike itself — the trail is mostly level — but from the way the route hugs the mountain’s contours, with the sky all around and steep drops to one side. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 The playing field clearly is not level — and hasn’t been for decades. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 His words proved prescient; despite ample Labor Day return-to-office mandates and deadlines, offices across the country stayed completely level at 47% full. Jane Thier, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2023 The retractable foils and electric motor extend out when the C-8 reaches a speed of 16 knots and adjust in real-time to ensure a smooth, perfectly level flight even in choppy waters. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'level.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, plumb line, from Anglo-French livel, from Vulgar Latin *libellum, alteration of Latin libella, from diminutive of libra weight, balance

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of level was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near level

Cite this Entry

“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/level. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

level

1 of 3 noun
lev·​el ˈlev-əl How to pronounce level (audio)
1
: a device used (as by a carpenter) to establish a horizontal line or surface
2
: a horizontal line or surface usually at a named height
placed at eye level
3
: a step or stage in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, importance, or value)
rose to the level of manager
4
a
: an amount of something especially in comparison with typical or expected amounts
production is at a low level this year
b
: the amount of a substance especially per unit volume of a body fluid (as blood)
a high level of sugar in the blood

level

2 of 3 verb
leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling ˈlev-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce level (audio)
1
: to make or become horizontal, flat, or even
2
3
: to knock flat
the explosion leveled the house
4
: to reach or come to a level
the plane leveled off at 10,000 feet
leveler noun
or leveller
-(ə-)lər

level

3 of 3 adjective
1
: having a flat even surface
a level lawn
2
: being on a line with the horizon : horizontal
in a level position
3
: of the same height or rank : even
the water is level with my waist
4
: steady and cool in judgment
a level head
levelly adverb
levelness noun

Medical Definition

level

noun
lev·​el ˈlev-əl How to pronounce level (audio)
1
: a characteristic and fairly uniform concentration of a constituent of the blood or other body fluid
a normal blood-sugar level
2
a
: a degree of ability or aptitude or measure of performance
b
: a grade of mental and emotional development or maturity
evidence as to levels of personality development (e.g., anal, oral)G. P. Murdock

More from Merriam-Webster on level

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