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

Hybrid independence is not a destination but a practice; a daily choice to design systems that serve multiple stakeholders across multiple timescales. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Such resolution is essential to capture electron dynamics on their natural timescale. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025

The largest unit on the graph’s timescale is equally mind-bending. —Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025

That suggests 2014 may have been a tipping point beyond which returning to normal wet-dry cycles may be impossible on human timescales. —Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

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