level

noun

lev·el | \ ˈle-vəl

Definition of level

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

4a : 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

6a : 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

on the level

: bona fide, honest

level

verb

leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling\ ˈle-və-liŋ

, ˈlev-liŋ \

Definition of level (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level level a field level off a house lot

2a : 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 ranks— W. S. Gilbert

4a : 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

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

adjective

Definition of level (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : 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

2a : 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 affair— Sir 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

level best

: very best

Other Words from level Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about level

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for level

Adjective

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

Adjective

level, flat, and even mean having a surface without bends, curves, or interruptions. level is used especially for a surface or a line that does not slant up or down. We traveled a level road between two hills. flat is used for a surface that is free from curves or bumps or hollows whether or not it is parallel to the ground. I need a flat work surface. even is used when there is a lack of breaks or bumps in a line or surface. Dad trimmed the hedge to make it even.

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

Wash a plastic curtain on the highest water level with regular amount of detergent, and add two to three bath towels for extra cleaning agitation. — Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in the Mustiest Corners of Your House," 6 Feb. 2019 Plug-in dimmers are so easy to install , and being able to fine-tune the lighting levels in your bedroom (or any room, really) makes a world of difference. — Eddie Ross, House Beautiful, "The 3 Best Ways to Make Even a Small Room Feel Like a Master Suite," 6 Feb. 2019 The domestic labor market remains robust, with a gauge of layoffs falling to its lowest level since 1969. — Akane Otani, WSJ, "Stocks Start Off 2019 With a Bang," 27 Jan. 2019 Thandie Newton Newton’s Boomerang skills are next level. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Best Celebrity Instagrams From The 2019 Golden Globes," 7 Jan. 2019 These policies help ClimatePlan as a network better advocate at the state level. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Getting around the Bay Area with Chanell Fletcher," 21 Dec. 2018 Facebook had to build a new system that stored browsing data categorized at the user level. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "Facebook still hasn’t launched a big privacy feature that Mark Zuckerberg promised more than seven months ago," 17 Dec. 2018 Because of their high levels of beta-carotene, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots are some of the best foods for your immune system and vision. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Pumpkin-Carrot Soup," 7 Jan. 2019 And, while that is frustrating, women at least expect this on some level. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Can't Men Like Louis C.K. Accept Their Ideas Are Outdated?," 4 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But the shale revolution has changed that by leveling the playing field and shortening the investment cycle. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, "Slouching Tiger: Why Exxon Isn’t Worth Its Premium," 30 July 2018 Aid groups have been preparing for this since February by leveling hills and relocating a fraction of the most vulnerable people to homes on safer land. — Vidhi Doshi, Washington Post, "‘Everything was destroyed’: Monsoon begins to take deadly toll on Rohingya camps in Bangladesh," 24 June 2018 By leveling its league record at 7-7, St. Joe’s is tied for fifth with Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth. — John Smallwood, Philly.com, "St. Joe's seniors Shavar Newkirk, James Demery urge teammates to push on through A-10 tournament," 20 Feb. 2018 When the time comes to level up, choose a band with even more resistance. — Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, "Why You Should Add a Resistance Band to Bicycle Crunches Like JoJa," 17 Jan. 2019 Pyongyang could use those weapons to strike Seoul, around 80 miles away, leveling much of the city. — Alex Ward, Vox, "Trump insists things are going fine with North Korea. They’re not.," 12 Nov. 2018 And five days after Haiyan leveled Tacloban, many are still there. — Todd Pitman, Fox News, "AP WAS THERE: 2013 typhoon kills thousands in Philippines," 15 Sep. 2018 The world's No. 2 ranked player was up 5–4 in the third set and had match point before the eighth–seeded Anderson rallied back to level the sets with a 7–5 victory in the third and winning 6–4 in the fourth set. — Scooby Axson, SI.com, "Roger Federer Upset In Five-Set Battle vs. Kevin Anderson," 11 July 2018 This 200-acre preserve features trails ranging in difficulty from level one Americans with Disabilities Act accessible to level four, picnic facilities, pavilions/gazebo, restrooms, bridge overlook and a public art display. — Ingrid Wilgen, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio’s parks offer outdoor fun," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

And Levelhead, coming in November, is an indie take on the likes of Super Mario Maker (thus beating Nintendo to that niche on the Switch), which even allows up to four people to collaborate on level creation together, either locally or online. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Switch checks off its indie-game wishlist with Into the Breach, Towerfall," 28 Aug. 2018 There had to be a relatively level playing field—at times even one that favored the other liberal powers. — Robert Kagan, WSJ, "The Cost of American Retreat," 7 Sep. 2018 The plate is almost never completely level and typically not very flat, so the drops just follow the local slope. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Free-wheeling water droplets plot their own path off a hot plate," 14 Sep. 2018 Your floors will never be completely level, so your kitchen benches will probably wobble a bit. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "7 Things You Should Know Before Installing Brick Floors," 7 Sep. 2018 And Finish Line is doubling the size of its store by moving into a 6,000-square-foot spot on the lower level Sears wing. — Ben Brasch, ajc, "Cobb mall H&M is expanding to two floors, tripling in size," 19 May 2018 Bret Benson, owner of Scooters & More Factory Outlet in Blue Ridge, said business for scooters and installing lifts for elderly clients was up more than 20% last year from the level five years ago. — Cameron Mcwhirter, WSJ, "Forget Florida: More Northern Retirees Head to Appalachia," 15 May 2018 The manual’s advice is kind of funny: Position the motorcycle on level ground in the full upright position. — Angelo Cocci, USA TODAY, "Review: Indian Scout Bobber is an eye-catching motorcycle with classic style," 24 Feb. 2018 Perfect fit: Most walls lean out of square and are not perfectly level. — Dan Argo, Houston Chronicle, "GHBA: Contact glass specialist when buying shower doors," 15 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'level.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.