level

noun lev·el \ ˈle-vəl \

Updated on: 6 Dec 2017

Definition of level

1 : a device for establishing a horizontal line or plane by means of a bubble in a liquid that shows adjustment to the horizontal by movement to the center of a slightly bowed glass tube

2 : a measurement of the difference of altitude of two points by means of a level

3 : horizontal condition; especially : equilibrium of a fluid marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude

water seeks its own level

4 a : an approximately horizontal line or surface taken as an index of altitude

Charts were arranged at eye level.

b : a practically horizontal surface or area (as of land)

the level of the plateau

5 : a position in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, or value)

funded at the national level

the job appeals to me on many levels

6 a : a line or surface that cuts perpendicularly all plumb lines that it meets and hence would everywhere coincide with a surface of still water

b : the plane of the horizon or a line in it

7 : a horizontal passage in a mine intended for regular working and transportation

8 : a concentration of a constituent especially of a body fluid (such as blood)

a normal blood-sugar level

9 : the magnitude of a quantity considered in relation to an arbitrary reference value; broadly : magnitude, intensity

a high level of hostility

— on the level

: bona fide, honest

See level defined for English-language learners

See level defined for kids

Examples of level in a Sentence

The pictures were hung on the wall at eye level.
The pictures were hung at different levels.
There was a high level of alcohol in his blood.
a normal level of intelligence
Prices have risen to a new level.
She rose to the level of manager.
She has reached a rare level of financial success.
These problems affect people at all levels of society.
Can this problem be dealt with at a national level or must it be addressed at an international level?

Recent Examples of level from the Web

But people in South Florida really value a high level of service.

— rene rodriguez, miamiherald, "Parking in Miami is big business but still a bargain | Miami Herald," 5 Nov. 2017
With the days getting shorter and the weather cooling down, the cozy-level of your wardrobe should be turning up a few notches.

— megan gustashaw, GQ, "The Best Men's Sweats On Sale Right Now," 5 Nov. 2017
But what seemed to matter most wasn’t the level of a specific gut microbe, says Wargo in an interview this afternoon, but rather the overall diversity of the person’s gut microbiome.

— clifton leaf, Fortune, "The Secret to Cancer Treatment May Be In Our Guts," 3 Nov. 2017
Yet Trump is making this level of military involvement in civilian leadership necessary through his unorthodox and unpredictable behavior (hence Cohen’s gratitude).

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Will the Generals Save Us From Trump?," 2 Nov. 2017
Plus, the high level of competition helps keep players sharp and focused.

— randy sachs, star-telegram, "A three-way coin-flip and a coin-flip game: This seeding process was crazy," 1 Nov. 2017
The level of concern for Pruitt’s safety is so deep that agents are being added to his round-the-clock security detail.

— julie kelly, National Review, "The Lynch Mob Targets Scott Pruitt," 1 Nov. 2017
The Mueller investigation just reached a new level of intensity.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Paul Manafort Surrenders to the FBI as the Mueller Investigation Heats Up," 30 Oct. 2017
There are signs that investment is accelerating, which is a key support for sustained growth and for higher levels of neutral interest rates.

— richard barley, WSJ, "The Bond Selloff’s Missing Ingredient: Inflation," 27 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'level.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of level

Middle English, plumb line, from Anglo-French livel, from Vulgar Latin *libellum, alteration of Latin libella, from diminutive of libra weight, balance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

level Synonyms

Synonyms

degree, echelon, footing, rank, place, position, ranking, reach (es), rung, situation, standing, station, status, stratum

Related Words

condition, estate, order, walk; capacity, function; rating

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

level

verb

Definition of level

leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling play \ˈle-və-liŋ, ˈlev-liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level

level a field

level off a house lot

2 a : to bring to a horizontal aiming position

b : aim, direct

leveled a charge of fraud

3 : to bring to a common level or plane : equalize

love levels all ranks
—W. S. Gilbert

4 a : to lay level with or as if with the ground : raze

b : to knock down

leveled him with one punch

5 : to make (something, such as color) even or uniform

6 : to find the heights of different points in (a piece of land) especially with a surveyor's level

intransitive verb

1 : to attain or come to a level

the plane leveled off at 10,000 feet

2 : to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally

3 : to bring persons or things to a level

4 : to deal frankly and openly

See level defined for English-language learners

Examples of level in a Sentence

They will level the field.
We need to level the garden before we plant anything.
The earthquake leveled the city.
He leveled his opponent with a right hook.
The robber leveled a gun at his head.
Several complaints have been leveled at the store.
Criticism has been leveled against the government for not responding to this crisis.

Recent Examples of level from the Web

Clinton’s book assigns blame for her presidential loss on several factors, including interference from Russian hackers, accusations leveled at her by former FBI Director James Comey and even her gender.

— hope yen, The Seattle Times, "Trump hypes mock video of golf ball seen striking Clinton," 17 Sep. 2017
Just how Mercy got hot at the end of the first frame, MND found that fire at the conclusion of the second set to take it 25-20 and level the match a set apiece.

— adam baum, Cincinnati.com, "Mount Notre Dame beats Mercy, sets up regional final showdown with Ursuline," 3 Nov. 2017
However, a kill by Creek middle blocker Riley Brantley erased that before a Jenna Metzinger kill and a Falls error leveled the match at one set each.

— ted dunnam, Houston Chronicle, "Volleyball: Clear Falls clips Clear Creek for No. 2 seed," 24 Oct. 2017
On Wednesday, a Boston federal appeals court decided not to revive a defamation suit leveled by Katherine McKee, a former girlfriend of Sammy Davis Jr. and former acquaintance of Bill Cosby, the Associated Press reports.

— kenzie bryant, vanityfair.com, "Bill Cosby’s Lawyers Take Victory Lap After Court Declines to Revive Defamation Suit," 19 Oct. 2017
In that case, Vance charged the French politician with rape on the basis of an accusation leveled by a hotel maid.

— leon neyfakh, Slate Magazine, "They Had the Goods on Him," 11 Oct. 2017
Clinton's book assigns blame for her presidential loss on several factors, including interference from Russian hackers, accusations leveled at her by former FBI Director James Comey and even her gender.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Hypes Mock Video of Golf Ball Seen Striking Clinton," 17 Sep. 2017
Hyde broke through the first level of the Panthers’ defense and was running full speed when Coleman leveled him after an 18-yard pickup.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Making an impact: Undersized Panthers safety Kurt Coleman rises to every challenge," 15 Sep. 2017
Spatial Relations Many European companies also offer base cabinets with adjustable legs that can be quickly leveled for faster, easier installation, instead of laboriously trimmed and shimmed, which is the traditional technique.

— elle decor staff, ELLE Decor, "Cabinet Fever," 5 July 2012

Origin and Etymology of level

see ¹level

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

level Synonyms

Synonyms

balance, equate, even, equalize

Antonyms

rough, roughen

Related Words

equilibrate, equipoise; accommodate, adjust, compensate, fit; counterbalance; homogenize, normalize, regularize, standardize; democratize

Near Antonyms

disequilibrate

level

adjective

Definition of level

1 a : having no part higher than another : conforming to the curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surface

b : parallel with the plane of the horizon : horizontal

2 a : even or unvarying in height

b : equal in advantage, progression, or standing

c : proceeding monotonously or uneventfully

d (1) : steady, unwavering

gave him a level look

(2) : calm, unexcited

spoke in level tones

3 : reasonable, balanced

arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair
—Sir Winston Churchill

4 : distributed evenly

level stress

5 : being a surface perpendicular to all lines of force in a field of force : equipotential

6 : suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or achievement

top-level thinking

7 : of or relating to the spreading out of a cost or charge in even payments over a period of time

—

levelly

play \ˈle-və(l)-lē\ adverb

—

levelness

play \ˈle-vəl-nəs\ noun

— level best

: very best

See level defined for English-language learners

Examples of level in a Sentence

We pitched the tent on level ground.
an airplane in level flight
Interest rates have remained level.

Recent Examples of level from the Web

Crude oil prices remain stuck at about $50 a barrel -- half the level three years ago -- and some notable traders see the outlook for 2018 weakening.

— alex fitzpatrick, Fortune, "Total Chases Growth With $5 Billion Purchase of Maersk Oil," 21 Aug. 2017
Lambing said the lower parking lot is already fairly level, and that even with the loss of some of the parking, eight to 10 parking spots would still be available next to the courts.

— forrest sellers, Cincinnati.com, "Green Twp. offers one of first West Side pickleball courts," 10 Aug. 2017
The most enthusiastic Ethereum supporters envisioned a future of billion-dollar DAOs that competed on a level playing field with conventional corporations.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Using a blockchain doesn’t exempt you from securities regulations," 26 July 2017
Significantly more men than women say their companies are level playing fields and have plenty of women leaders, even in places where less than 1 in 10 top executives are women.

— vanessa fuhrmans, WSJ, "The Hidden Battle of the Sexes at Work," 10 Oct. 2017
Be everybody’s go-to guy or gal If there’s a crisis or a conundrum, be the team member everybody else turns to: the port in a storm, the level head, or the problem solver.

— michael hoon, USA TODAY, "Career advice: Get a raise without asking for one," 10 Oct. 2017
Two men, talking nice and slow in level tones, describing actions taking place before their eyes.

— author: garrison keillor, Alaska Dispatch News, "Lessons of blindness and kindness," 5 July 2017
But the small Catalonian side weren't level for long, as four minutes later Cristian Portu put his side ahead with an instinctive back heel following Pablo Maffeo Becerra's fizzing attempt from 12-yards.

— SI.com, "Zinedine Zidane States Real Madrid Can Handle La Liga Deficit Following Shock 2-1 Defeat to Girona," 30 Oct. 2017
Federico Viviani put Spal back on level terms seven minutes later with a free kick but Ghoulam scored what was to be the winner shortly after.

— USA TODAY, "Dybala scores again as Juventus wins 4-0, Napoli perfect too," 23 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of level

15th century

level Synonyms

Synonyms

even, flat, flush, plane, smooth

Antonyms

bumpy, coarse, lumpy, rough, uneven, unsmoothed

Related Words

exact, uniform; aligned (also alined), regular, true; horizontal, tabular; plumb, straight, vertical

Near Antonyms

inexact, irregular, unaligned, warped; undulating, undulatory, wavy; pitted, pockmarked, pocky

Synonym Discussion of level

level, flat, plane, even, smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities. level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

- the vast prairies are nearly level

flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

- the work surface must be flat

plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

- the plane sides of a crystal

even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

- trim the hedge so it is even

smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

- a smooth skating rink

LEVEL Defined for English Language Learners

level

noun

Definition of level for English Language Learners

: a specific height
: a part of a building that is at a specific height
: an amount of something

level

verb

Definition of level for English Language Learners

: to make (something) flat or level
: to knock (someone or something) down to the ground
: to point (a weapon) at someone

level

adjective

Definition of level for English Language Learners

: having a flat or even surface
: not going up or down
: having the same height as something else

LEVEL Defined for Kids

level

noun lev·el \ ˈle-vəl \

Definition of level for Students

1 : a horizontal line or surface usually at a named height

Hold it at eye level.

2 : a step or stage in height, position, or rank

She rose to the level of manager.

3 : a device used (as by a carpenter) to find a horizontal line or surface

Headscratcher for level

The word level is spelled the same forwards and backwards.

level

verb

Definition of level for Students

leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling

: to make or become horizontal, flat, or even

level

adjective

Definition of level for Students

1 : having a flat even surface Find a level place to set up the tent.

2 : ¹horizontal

… the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level …
—Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

3 : of the same height or rank : even

4 : steady and cool in judgment

The rescuers kept level heads.

Synonym Discussion of level

level, flat, and even mean having a surface without bends, curves, or interruptions. level is used especially for a surface or a line that does not slant up or down.

- We traveled a level road between two hills.

flat is used for a surface that is free from curves or bumps or hollows whether or not it is parallel to the ground.

- I need a flat work surface.

even is used when there is a lack of breaks or bumps in a line or surface.

- Dad trimmed the hedge to make it even.

Medical Dictionary

level

noun lev·el \ ˈlev-əl \

medical Definition of level

1 : a characteristic and fairly uniform concentration of a constituent of the blood or other body fluid

a normal blood-sugar level

2 a : a degree of ability or aptitude or measure of performance

b : a grade of mental and emotional development or maturity

evidence as to levels of personality development (e.g., anal, oral)
—G. P. Murdock

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See words that rhyme with level Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for level Spanish Central: Translation of level Nglish: Translation of level for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of level for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about level

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Origin and Etymology of level

level Synonyms

Synonyms

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Other Civil Engineering Terms

level

Definition of level

Examples of level in a Sentence

Recent Examples of level from the Web

Origin and Etymology of level

level Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

level

Definition of level

levelly

levelness

Examples of level in a Sentence

Recent Examples of level from the Web

First Known Use of level

level Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of level

LEVEL Defined for English Language Learners

level

Definition of level for English Language Learners

level

Definition of level for English Language Learners

level

Definition of level for English Language Learners

LEVEL Defined for Kids

level

Definition of level for Students

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level

Definition of level for Students

level

Definition of level for Students

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Medical Dictionary

level

medical Definition of level

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