scope

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
2
: space or opportunity for unhampered motion, activity, or thought
3
: extent of treatment, activity, or influence
4
: range of operation: such as
a
: the range of a logical operator : a string in predicate calculus that is governed by a quantifier
b
: a grammatical constituent that determines the interpretation of a predicate or quantifier

scope

2 of 4

noun (2)

1
: any of various instruments for viewing: such as
b
c
: a telescope mounted on a firearm for use as a sight
d
2

scope

3 of 4

verb

scoped; scoping

transitive verb

1
: to look at especially for the purpose of evaluation
usually used with out
Eunice and I … strutted down the aisles, pretending we were looking for somewhere to sit. Really we were just scoping the place out to see who was there.Helene Cooper
Wherever you go, scope out the situation carefully before you take off your dog's leash.Donna-Lynn Musgrave
It abuts Wagner Park, where at twilight people watch softball and scope out the local talent.Rob Spillman
2
a
: to view (something) with a telescope
… atop a small hill that once held a mortar battery, two urban park rangers and twenty-five or so shivering visitors scoped the sky.Ian Frazier
If scoping the stars isn't your thing, the ship also offers a rich array of on-board speakers, wine tastings, golf simulations and a casino to keep you busy.The Plainsman (Auburn University, Alabama)
b
: to examine with an endoscope and especially an arthroscope
Players on every pro team have been scoped, mostly their knees (about 80%) but also their shoulders, elbows, wrists.Kostya Kennedy
He went to the hospital with the thought that the knee would be scoped, a simple procedure, and he would be back in the lineup in about 10 days.Leigh Montville
3
: to equip with a scope
a scoped rifle

-scope

4 of 4

noun combining form

: means (such as an instrument) for viewing or observing
endoscope
spectroscope
Choose the Right Synonym for scope

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control).

range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of scope in a Sentence

Noun (1) the company's scope of operations now spans two continents
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.
Noun
And reference images can help narrow the scope of the output to keep it within a specific color palette or use specific patterns or textures. Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024 The gap between the launch and international distribution acquisition is unusually long for TV, but includes scope for future episodes of the drama. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
From data ownership to scope change fees, freelancers shouldn’t forget to add these clauses in their next contract. Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Shopping in stores is always an option, but the most convenient way to scope the sales landscape is to peruse online. Suzy Forman, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scope 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian scopo purpose, goal, from Greek skopos; akin to Greek skeptesthai to watch, look at — more at spy

Noun (2)

-scope

Verb

perhaps from scope entry 2

Noun combining form

New Latin -scopium, from Greek -skopion; akin to Greek skeptesthai

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scope was circa 1555

Dictionary Entries Near scope

Cite this Entry

“Scope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scope. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scope

1 of 3 noun
1
: space or opportunity for action or thought
full scope for expression
2
: area or amount included, reached, or viewed : range
a subject broad in scope

scope

2 of 3 noun
: any of various instruments for viewing: as

-scope

3 of 3 combining form
: means for viewing : instrument for viewing
kaleidoscope
Etymology

Noun

from Italian scopo "aim, purpose, goal," from Greek skopos "watcher, goal, aim" — related to bishop, episcopal, horoscope see Word History at bishop

Noun

by shortening

Combining form

derived from Greek skopos "watcher, goal, aim"

Medical Definition

scope

noun
: any of various instruments (as an arthroscope, endoscope, or microscope) for viewing or observing
scope transitive verb
scoped; scoping

More from Merriam-Webster on scope

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!