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
Synonyms
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 WebDeidre McPhillips, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Because hormones play a role (that’s why the condition typically makes its debut after puberty and about half of people get their first symptoms between the ages of 10 and 21), your teen may experience monthly flare-ups before their period when hormone levels are fluctuating.
—Ade Onibada, SELF, 12 Apr. 2024
The lesson will be followed by an interactive game for participants at this level.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Rising laments that office attendance is still below pre-pandemic levels, especially among nearby government buildings that were packed with public employees who helped bring a sense of activity to Grand Avenue and other downtown streets.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Bringing the rate back to pre-pandemic levels could generate up to $2.6 million annually.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
The finance industry’s great RTO push is working—Wall Street and Miami offices are over 80% full compared to pre-pandemic levels.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
With hooks and melodies for days alongside a modern, yet eternal, level of crunch and angst, the four women from Toronto have proven themselves to be an elite rock band for the ages.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024
There’s a number of ways to keep entertained on the lower level.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024
But as Trump racked up easy wins, leveled the field and became the party's presumptive nominee, the GOP has solidified behind him.
—Michelle L. Price, Quartz, 6 Apr. 2024
Israel has repeatedly attacked hospitals and used massive bombs to level high-rise apartment blocks.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The large storm system, which has walloped the nation with severe weather conditions since the weekend, spun up tornadoes in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia this week, damaging businesses and leveling homes.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Taiwan has been hit by the strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century, with shocks from the temblor leveling dozens of buildings on the eastern side of the island, injuring more than 50 people and disrupting some chip production lines.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
In the fourth inning, Mountcastle hit a two-run home run that leveled the game.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Some have leveled criticism against the law for not including any protections for transgender people.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024
Accusations leveled against Meta include allegations of deceptive practices regarding parental assurances regarding child protection measures.
—Kartikay Mehrotra, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024
Jamie Gold, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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
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
Noun
Shortage levels have fluctuated in the decade since, but have been steadily trending up since 2021 — now reaching a record-high of 323 drugs in the first three months of 2024.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Because hormones play a role (that’s why the condition typically makes its debut after puberty and about half of people get their first symptoms between the ages of 10 and 21), your teen may experience monthly flare-ups before their period when hormone levels are fluctuating.
—Ade Onibada, SELF, 12 Apr. 2024
The lesson will be followed by an interactive game for participants at this level.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
Rising laments that office attendance is still below pre-pandemic levels, especially among nearby government buildings that were packed with public employees who helped bring a sense of activity to Grand Avenue and other downtown streets.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Bringing the rate back to pre-pandemic levels could generate up to $2.6 million annually.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
The finance industry’s great RTO push is working—Wall Street and Miami offices are over 80% full compared to pre-pandemic levels.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
With hooks and melodies for days alongside a modern, yet eternal, level of crunch and angst, the four women from Toronto have proven themselves to be an elite rock band for the ages.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024
There’s a number of ways to keep entertained on the lower level.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
Haniyeh said Hamas would not cave to the pressure leveled by the strike on his family.
—Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024
But as Trump racked up easy wins, leveled the field and became the party's presumptive nominee, the GOP has solidified behind him.
—Michelle L. Price, Quartz, 6 Apr. 2024
Israel has repeatedly attacked hospitals and used massive bombs to level high-rise apartment blocks.
—Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
The large storm system, which has walloped the nation with severe weather conditions since the weekend, spun up tornadoes in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia this week, damaging businesses and leveling homes.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Taiwan has been hit by the strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century, with shocks from the temblor leveling dozens of buildings on the eastern side of the island, injuring more than 50 people and disrupting some chip production lines.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
In the fourth inning, Mountcastle hit a two-run home run that leveled the game.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Some have leveled criticism against the law for not including any protections for transgender people.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024
Accusations leveled against Meta include allegations of deceptive practices regarding parental assurances regarding child protection measures.
—Kartikay Mehrotra, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024
Adjective
His advice for preventing bedroom falls included eliminating throw rugs, (which are common trip hazards), as well as maximizing lighting and minimizing glare, finishing surfaces in contrasting colors, making sure floors are level and minimizing entry thresholds.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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
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
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
Phrases Containing level
Dictionary Entries Near level
Cite this Entry
“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/level. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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. Murdock
More from Merriam-Webster on level
Nglish: Translation of level for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of level for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about level
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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