timescale

noun

time·​scale ˈtīm-ˌskāl How to pronounce timescale (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This technique allows researchers to capture processes occurring at incredibly fast timescales—on the order of femtoseconds (one quadrillionth of a second)—while also resolving features at the nanometer scale. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026 The observations represent a rare opportunity to see the evolution of a comet on a short timescale—generally, changes to a comet on this scale take centuries or more to come about. Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026 In some cases, organisms like peat-forming moss actually build entire landscapes that store carbon over long timescales, Hallberg said. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026 On that timescale, human intervention is irrelevant. Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for timescale

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of timescale was in 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Timescale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timescale. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

timescale

noun
time·​scale ˈtīm-ˌskāl How to pronounce timescale (audio)
: an arrangement of events used as a measure of the duration or age of a period of history or geologic or cosmic time
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