1
: small in scope
especially : small in output or operation
2
of a map : having a scale (such as one inch to 25 miles) that permits plotting of comparatively little detail and shows mainly large features

Examples of small-scale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Agricultural, forestry and fishing subsidies can be redirected towards sustainable practices and small-scale farmers. Philip Lymbery and Leticia Carvalho, TIME, 7 June 2024 Produce from The Weston’s small-scale farm supplies the restaurant and heavily influences the menu, specials each week, and cocktails. Christine Chitnis, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2024 While small-scale initiatives within a community don’t have the same influence as nationwide or statewide laws, often an effort that begins in just one neighborhood can be the start of something that changes the entire country, or even the world. Tom Steyer, Fortune, 28 May 2024 No longer limited to small-scale laboratories and solo inventors, the challenge of Chinese computing was taken up by engineers, linguists, and entrepreneurs across Asia, the United States, and Europe—including Yeh’s adoptive home of Silicon Valley. IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for small-scale 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'small-scale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of small-scale was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near small-scale

Cite this Entry

“Small-scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small-scale. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!