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
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
Salvatore Pane
leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling
ˈle-və-liŋ 
ˈlev-liŋ
1
: to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level
level a field
level off a house lot
3
: to bring to a common level or plane : equalize
love levels all ranks—W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert4
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
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
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
3
: reasonable, balanced
arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair—Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill4
: 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
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
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Pensacola faced the highest sea level rise, at a rate of 3.709 millimeters a year.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Murray played 42 minutes of Denver’s 119-107 Game 6 victory on Thursday in Colorado, scoring 25 points as well as adding eight rebounds and seven assists to level the best-of-seven series at 3-3.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Nazaneen Ghaffar, New York Times, 1 May 2025
First of all, the number of civilian federal employees, about 2.3 million, not including postal workers, has been roughly level for the past 60 years.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for level
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.
Noun
Around 5,000 buildings were destroyed in St. Louis alone, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said in a post on X.
Buildings and cars were destroyed, homes are missing entire walls and upper levels of houses and buildings are gone, photos of the disaster show.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Pensacola faced the highest sea level rise, at a rate of 3.709 millimeters a year.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Verb
Rotterdam was mostly leveled during World War II; the German bombing commenced on May 14, 1940, 85 years plus two days from the opening of Fenix.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Murray played 42 minutes of Denver’s 119-107 Game 6 victory on Thursday in Colorado, scoring 25 points as well as adding eight rebounds and seven assists to level the best-of-seven series at 3-3.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Adjective
According to the Met Office, ideal sites for such equipment are level and free from nearby obstructions such as buildings or trees, which could influence readings.
—Nazaneen Ghaffar, New York Times, 1 May 2025
First of all, the number of civilian federal employees, about 2.3 million, not including postal workers, has been roughly level for the past 60 years.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for level
Cite this Entry
“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/level. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
level
1 of 3 noun
lev·el
ˈlev-əl
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
1
: to make or become horizontal, flat, or even
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 adjective1
: 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
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
G. P. MurdockLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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