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

Because these decays typically occur over incredibly long timescales, the half-life helps predict how many decay events could realistically be observed in experiments designed to measure neutrino mass. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025

The expectation remains that Ross Wilson will take over as sporting director, though a timescale remains elusive. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Planets will spiral into their stellar remnants or get ejected on timescales of 1025 years or so. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025

What physical processes are at play, and over what timescales? —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Sep. 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