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timescale

noun

time·​scale ˈtīm-ˌskāl How to pronounce timescale (audio)
: an arrangement of events used as a measure of the relative or absolute duration or antiquity of a period of history or geologic or cosmic time

Examples of timescale in a Sentence

When considered on the 4.6 billion year timescale of the Earth, our lives can seem insignificant. What is the timescale for completion of the work?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thus, observations of a flare in different wavelengths can help better understand the mechanisms black holes use to launch flares and the timescales over which these flares evolve. Robert Lea, Space.com, 28 Nov. 2025 Nobody will hold Gjoshe to his hopeful timescale of playing again within a month. Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025 Her current research focuses on trying to understand how human environmental DNA preserves and degrades in sediment through time — on both long and short timescales. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025 In essence, the production line concept now underpins our rhythms, when the brain operates on a different timescale of bursts of 90-minute cycles, followed by rest and recovery periods. Marcus Weldon, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for timescale

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of timescale was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timescale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timescale. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

timescale

noun
time·​scale ˈtīm-ˌskāl How to pronounce timescale (audio)
: an arrangement of events used as a measure of the duration or age of a period of history or geologic or cosmic time
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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