small-scale
adjective
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
Analysts say the measures reflect political pressure from small-scale miners, who have staged protests to demand looser regulations, complicating efforts to tighten enforcement.
—
ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
In Venezuela’s southern mining regions, particularly Bolívar and Amazonas states, extraction is dominated by small-scale miners operating under the control of armed groups, criminal gangs and military units.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Applicable to small-scale power generation systems This technology is expected to be applicable to small-scale power generation systems that convert heat into electricity in industrial processes, data centers, and solar thermal systems.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Once again the hobby company has teamed up with Brad and Bruce Williamson – aka Nighthawk Gliders – two flight enthusiasts with a long history of creating small-scale balsa-wood models designed to get in the air and stay there.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small-scale
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.
ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
In Venezuela’s southern mining regions, particularly Bolívar and Amazonas states, extraction is dominated by small-scale miners operating under the control of armed groups, criminal gangs and military units.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Applicable to small-scale power generation systems This technology is expected to be applicable to small-scale power generation systems that convert heat into electricity in industrial processes, data centers, and solar thermal systems.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Once again the hobby company has teamed up with Brad and Bruce Williamson – aka Nighthawk Gliders – two flight enthusiasts with a long history of creating small-scale balsa-wood models designed to get in the air and stay there.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small-scale
Cite this Entry
“Small-scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small-scale. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
