small-scale

adjective

ˈsmȯl-ˈskāl 

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

Harvesting the sun and wind At first glance, the Fusion Wind Turbine might sound like another small-scale renewable energy system. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, large hail and damaging straight-line winds depend on small-scale atmospheric processes that global climate models still struggle to represent accurately. — Deepti Singh, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Revenue generated by small-scale gold mining in Ghana topped $11 billion last year, compared to $9 billion for large-scale mining. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

The impact is especially significant for small-scale farmers, many of whom rely on diesel fuel to pump water, harvest crops and transport goods to market. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for small-scale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email