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

Bacterial cells balance memory and flexibility by storing information across many timescales. — Shiladitya Banerjee, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Considering stars live for billions of years, that is an instant on a cosmic timescale. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026

To understand peatlands requires thinking on a much longer timescale than the life of a human. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Much of it entered the oceans over geological timescales as uranium was weathered from rocks and carried into the sea. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 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