timescale

noun

time·​scale ˈtīm-ˌskāl 

: 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

However, even the Eddington limit is broken sometimes, enabling rapid mass build-up over short cosmic timescales. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026

When people briefly vanished from city spaces, the ecological landscape shifted, and birds responded on timescales that are rarely so clearly documented. —New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026

This involves large particles breaking down over vast timescales to lighter particles, releasing energy in the form of photons, the particles of light. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026

One can definitely look forward to more focused product development, protracted timescales for characterization projects, and a much heavier focus on monetization right from day one. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for timescale

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

timescale

noun

time·​scale ˈtīm-ˌskāl 

: an arrangement of events used as a measure of the duration or age of a period of history or geologic or cosmic time