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

Formally, the control of the Earth’s timescale is in the hands of the professional geologists—that is, the successors of Charles Lyell. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

That’s like trying to measure a 100-meter Olympic race on a femtosecond timescale. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Its retreat has altered the glacier’s geometry and relationship with the seafloor, meaning that simply reducing ocean melting may not restore its earlier state on century-long timescales. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

This is slow by human standards, but fairly fast on geological timescales, certainly quicker than plate tectonics. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 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