level-off

[ lev-uhl-awf, -of ]

noun

, Aeronautics.

1. the maneuver of bringing an aircraft into a horizontal flying position after an ascent or descent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of level-off¹

First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase level off

Idioms and Phrases

Move toward stability or consistency, as in Prices have leveled off . This idiom transfers a physical flattening to a figurative one. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

After climbing for the last five years, overall homelessness leveled off in Los Angeles County in 2024, according to the annual count released in June.

From Los Angeles Times

“There was a year or two where it leveled off right before the pandemic, and we were hopeful, but then it went way, way up after that.”

From Salon

Police shootings have similarly leveled off, but the department continues to face criticism that it isn’t doing enough to curtail officer uses of force.

From Los Angeles Times

The study, published in the journal Lancet Public Health journal and funded by charity Cancer Research UK, also found overall vaping figures among adults were levelling off.

From BBC

“The general rate of land movement has actually leveled off,” Phipps said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abate
• descend
• diminish
• dwindle
• ease
• ease off
• ebb
• melt
• peter out
• recede
• slacken
• wane