Definition of “scale” - English Dictionary

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“scale” in English

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scalenoun

uk ​ /skeɪl/ us ​ /skeɪl/

scale noun (MEASURE)

B2 [ C ] a set of numbers, amounts, etc., used to measure or compare the level of something:

the Centigrade/Fahrenheit scale
How would you rate his work on a scale of 1 to 5?

B2 [ C or U ] the relation between the real size of something and its size on a map, model, or diagram:

a scale of 1:50,000
This map is large scale (= things are shown in detail).
Is the bridge drawn to scale (= so that it shows the exact shape of the bridge, but much smaller)?
He was building a scale model of the Empire State Building.

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scale noun (SIZE)

B2 [ S or U ] the size or level of something, especially when this is large:

We don't yet know the scale of the problem.
Nuclear weapons cause destruction on a massive scale (= cause a lot of destruction).
My parents used to entertain friends on a large/small scale (= they had large/small parties).

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scale noun (MACHINE)

scales [ plural ] UK US scale

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B2 a device for weighing things or people:

kitchen/bathroom scales
a pair of scales mainly UK

› a weighing device with two containers connected to a metal bar that is free to move up and down about its fixed central point. An object of known weight is put in one container and the thing to be weighed is put in the other.

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scale noun (COVERING)

› [ U ] UK also limescale a hard, white or grey layer of material that forms on the inside of pipes or containers that heat water

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Idiom(s)

large/small-scale
the scales fall from sb's eyes

scaleverb [ T ]

uk ​ /skeɪl/ us ​ /skeɪl/

Idiom(s)

scale the heights

Phrasal verb(s)

scale sth down
scale sth up

(Definition of “scale” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“scale” in American English

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scalenoun

us ​ /skeɪl/

scale noun (MEASURING SYSTEM)

› [ C ] a range of numbers used as a system to measure or compare things:

Restaurant ratings are on a scale of zero to five stars.

scale noun (SERIES OF MARKS)

› [ C ] a series of marks in a line with regular spaces between them for measuring, or an object for measuring marked in this way:

The two scales show inches and centimeters.

scale noun (SIZE/LEVEL)

› art [ U ] the size or level of something in comparison to what is average:

Our problems are like those in the city, just on a smaller scale.

scale noun (WEIGHING DEVICE)

› [ C ] a device for weighing people or things:

a baby scale
a postal scale

scale noun (SIZE RELATIONSHIP)

› [ C/U ] the relationship of the size of a map, drawing, or model of something to the size of the actual thing:

[ C ] The model was built at a 1-inch-to-1-foot scale.

scale noun (MUSIC)

› music [ C ] a set of musical notes in which each note is higher or lower than the previous one by a particular amount:

Tyler practices scales on the piano every day.

scale noun (SKIN)

› [ C usually pl ] any of the thin pieces of hard skin covering the bodies of fish, snakes, and lizards

scaleverb [ T ]

us ​ /skeɪl/

scale verb [ T ] (CLIMB)

› to climb up something steep, such as a cliff or wall:

He scaled a steep cliff beside the river.

Phrasal verb(s)

scale back/down (something)
scale up (something)

(Definition of “scale” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“scale” in Business English

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scalenoun

uk ​ /skeɪl/ us ​

› [ S or U ] the size or level of something, especially when this is large:

the scale of sth We failed to recognize the scale of the problem.
on a large/small scale.
on a global/national/international scale

› [ C ] MEASURES a set of numbers, amounts, etc. used to measure or compare the level of something:

on a scale of 1 to 10/zero to 100, etc. How would you rate his work on a scale of 1 to 5?
at the top/bottom of the scale

› [ C or U ] GRAPHS & CHARTS the relation between the real size of something and its size on a map, model, or diagram:

to scale The map is drawn to scale.
a scale drawing/model

› also UK scales a piece of equipment for weighing things or people:

The mail is weighed on a scale.

See also

diseconomies of scale
economies of scale
large-scale
pay scale
salary scale
sliding scale
small-scale
timescale
wage scale

(Definition of “scale” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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scale

Nonetheless, we must regret that the budget allocated to this enlargement is inadequate for the scale of the project and for our common future.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Even today, it is still hard to obtain an exact estimate of material losses, but it is safe to say that they are on an unprecedented scale.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Otherwise it reinstated its first reading position, recalling the need for savings in operating costs from interinstitutional cooperation and economies of scale.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The scale of our commitment to consultation and impact assessment is also illustrated by the contact that we have had with the various rapporteurs responsible for this report.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
He is right to acknowledge the scale of the challenge faced by the region, as well as the scale of the achievement that has been accomplished.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We would like to emphasise, nonetheless, that this amount falls far short of what is needed, given the scale of the tragedy.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Some of these enterprises operate on an extremely small scale and make up in flexibility, innovation and quality what they lose in economies of scale.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I believe the opposite, that privatising water management, even on the smallest scale, would allow more rational management if it is well utilised.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We support small-scale entrepreneurship in this sector.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
However, it has to be recognised that the scale of some of the budgetary increases for individual institutions are up to 50% higher in some cases.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
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