scale
noun
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