plural levels
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
10
: one of a series of discrete parts through which a player moves or progresses during the course of a game (such as a video game)
A commonly held belief among developers is that the opening level of a well-programmed game teaches the player what thematic rules to anticipate going forward.—
Salvatore Pane
Salvatore Pane
leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling
ˈle-və-liŋ 
ˈlev-liŋ
1
: to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level
level a field
level off a house lot
3
: to bring to a common level or plane : equalize
love levels all ranks—W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert4
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
1
: to attain or come to a level
The plane leveled off at 10,000 feet.
see also level up
2
: to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally
3
: to bring persons or things to a level
4
: to deal frankly and openly
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
3
: reasonable, balanced
arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair—Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill4
: 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
Synonyms
Examples of level in a Sentence
Noun
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?
Verb
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.
Adjective
We pitched the tent on level ground.
an airplane in level flight
Interest rates have remained level.
Recent Examples on the Web
Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
The film has been screened for select audiences already and is being met with high praise, particularly for Grande and Erivo’s performances, as well as the level of spectacle on display.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024
Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Nov. 2024
The lawsuit, filed by the Jane Doe in the Southern District of New York, is one of dozens of lawsuits leveled against the music mogul since last November.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2024
The retractable foils and electric motor extend out when the C-8 reaches a speed of 16 knots and adjust in real-time to ensure a smooth, perfectly level flight even in choppy waters.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for level 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Noun
As part of the proposal that the City Council will consider Tuesday, Mahan and Councilmembers Dev Davis and Pam Foley have asked city staff to develop a process with clear submission requirements and objective criteria for evaluating project proposals, such as density levels or housing production.
—Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
The film has been screened for select audiences already and is being met with high praise, particularly for Grande and Erivo’s performances, as well as the level of spectacle on display.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Use it to flip small items in a pan like silver dollar pancakes, level your cup of flour, or smooth your cake batter in the pan before baking, then again to loosen the cake from the pan after baking.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Nov. 2024
The lawsuit, filed by the Jane Doe in the Southern District of New York, is one of dozens of lawsuits leveled against the music mogul since last November.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Standout benefits: Applicants in good health can skip the medical exam for a level term life insurance policy with Amica.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2024
The retractable foils and electric motor extend out when the C-8 reaches a speed of 16 knots and adjust in real-time to ensure a smooth, perfectly level flight even in choppy waters.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for level
Dictionary Entries Near level
Cite this Entry
“Level.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/level. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
level
1 of 3 noun
lev·el
ˈlev-əl
1
: a device used (as by a carpenter) to establish a horizontal line or surface
2
: a horizontal line or surface usually at a named height
placed at eye level
3
: a step or stage in a scale or rank (as of achievement, significance, importance, or value)
rose to the level of manager
4
a
: an amount of something especially in comparison with typical or expected amounts
production is at a low level this year
b
: the amount of a substance especially per unit volume of a body fluid (as blood)
a high level of sugar in the blood
level
2 of 3 verb
leveled or levelled; leveling or levelling
ˈlev-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to make or become horizontal, flat, or even
3
: to knock flat
the explosion leveled the house
4
: to reach or come to a level
the plane leveled off at 10,000 feet
leveler
noun
or leveller
-(ə-)lər
level
3 of 3 adjective1
: having a flat even surface
a level lawn
2
: being on a line with the horizon : horizontal
in a level position
3
: of the same height or rank : even
the water is level with my waist
4
: steady and cool in judgment
a level head
levelly
adverb
levelness
noun
Medical Definition
level
noun
lev·el
ˈlev-əl
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
G. P. MurdockLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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