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
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.
Meteorologists note the possibility of small-scale spin-ups along the leading edge, meaning any tornadoes that form are likely to be isolated. Brandi D. Addison, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026 But in the early 2010s, the government of former President Hugo Chávez nationalized the gold industry and hinted that the government would open small-scale mining to the public. Antonio MacHado Allison, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026 Public Works has been able to conduct small-scale paving projects and street sweeping, work that typically waits until spring. Tori Mason, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026 Sherry Turkle, a sociologist, psychologist, and founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology, agrees, adding that while this might seem like a small-scale proposal, large-scale efforts are on the horizon. Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small-scale

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

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Cite this Entry

“Small-scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small-scale. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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