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economy of scale
noun phrase
: a reduction in the cost of producing something (such as a car or a unit of electricity) brought about especially by increased size of production facilities
—usually used in plural
Examples of economy of scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The high cost of water service in Hialeah is due to multiple factors, including the system structure, economy of scale, franchise fees, bimonthly billing, and water and sewer pipe leaks.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 24 July 2024
It’s been a classic economy of scale — as long as ports were able to handle the big ships.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2024
Starlink and other mega constellations rely on an economy of scale; their massive fleet is continually refreshed with new satellites to replace old ones that burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
—Max Springer, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
One is economy of scale of the battery itself, which is the most expensive part of an electric car.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2023
The advantage of the superhot peppers is economy of scale.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2023
In Oregon, where sales began in 2015, large growers have achieved some economy of scale that could give them a leg up in a broader market.
—Gene Johnson, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2023
In Oregon, where sales began in 2015, large growers have achieved some economy of scale that could give them a leg up in a broader market — but in the meantime, the state’s oversupply is considered the nation’s worst.
—Gene Johnson, Andrew Selsky, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Apr. 2023
Although some cutting to order is done in a grocery meat department, economy of scale is achieved by selling only the most popular cuts of meat mostly raised for the commodity market.
—Alison Arnett, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1944, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near economy of scale
Cite this Entry
“Economy of scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economy%20of%20scale. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on economy of scale
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about economy of scale
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