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¹level

noun lev·el \ˈle-vəl\

: a specific height

: a part of a building that is at a specific height

: an amount of something

Full Definition of LEVEL

: 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

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

: horizontal condition; especially : equilibrium of a fluid marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude <water seeks its own level>

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

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

: 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>

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

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

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

: 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

Origin of LEVEL

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LEVEL

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

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

Rhymes with LEVEL

bevel, devil, Neville, revel

²level

verb

: to make (something) flat or level

: to knock (someone or something) down to the ground

: to point (a weapon) at someone

leveled or levelledlevel·ing or level·ling \ˈle-və-liŋ, ˈlev-liŋ\

Full Definition of LEVEL

transitive verb

: to make (a line or surface) horizontal : make flat or level <level a field> <level off a house lot>

a : to bring to a horizontal aiming position

b : aim, direct <leveled a charge of fraud>

: to bring to a common level or plane : equalize <love levels all ranks — W. S. Gilbert>

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

b : to knock down <leveled him with one punch>

: to make (as color) even or uniform

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

intransitive verb

: to attain or come to a level <the plane leveled off at 10,000 feet>

: to aim a gun or other weapon horizontally

: to bring persons or things to a level

: to deal frankly and openly

See level defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of LEVEL

15th century

Related to LEVEL

Synonyms: balance, equate, even, equalize

Antonyms: rough, roughen

Rhymes with LEVEL

bevel, devil, Neville, revel

³level

adjective

: having a flat or even surface

: not going up or down

: having the same height as something else

Full Definition of LEVEL

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

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>

: reasonable, balanced <arrive at a justly proportional and level judgment on this affair — Sir Winston Churchill>

: distributed evenly <level stress>

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

: suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or achievement <top-level thinking>

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

— lev·el·ly \ˈle-və(l)-lē\ adverb

— lev·el·ness \-vəl-nəs\ noun

— level best

: very best

See level defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of LEVEL

15th century

Related to LEVEL

Synonyms: even, flat, flush, plane, smooth

Antonyms: bumpy, coarse, lumpy, rough, uneven, unsmoothed

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 Kids

¹level

noun lev·el \ˈle-vəl\

Definition of LEVEL for Kids

: a horizontal line or surface usually at a named height <Hold it at eye level.>

: a step or stage in height, position, or rank <She rose to the level of manager.>

: 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.

²level

verb

lev·eled or lev·elledlev·el·ing or lev·el·ling

Definition of LEVEL for Kids

: to make or become horizontal, flat, or even

³level

adjective

Definition of LEVEL for Kids

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

: ¹horizontal <… the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level … — Anna Sewell, Black Beauty>

: of the same height or rank : even

: 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

: a characteristic and fairly uniform concentration of a constituent of the blood or other body fluid <a normal blood-sugar level>

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>