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

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This week, a bill to change the membership, authority, and scope of duties of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board took another step toward becoming law. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 20 Mar. 2024 There’s some things that only CG can do for the scope and movement. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Viewers will have the opportunity to see the sun projected onto poster board through a solar scope, and naturalists will be available to assist viewers and answer eclipse questions. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 But, faced with a looming state budget deficit topping $37 billion, lawmakers in both political parties, as well as the Legislature’s nonpartisan financial advisors, have raised questions about the scope and timing. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The study itself would help bring aspects like costs and scope into focus. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 But these organizations have relatively narrow scopes and don’t possess the enforcement and intervention authority seen in the financial sector. Jonathan Slotkin and David Vawdrey, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 China’s hacking industry is vast in size and scope but also suffers from shady business practices, disgruntlement over pay and work quality, and poor security protocols, the documents show. Associated Press, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 There is an audience for sober and honest political writing, but it is limited in scope. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
But really, there’s no need to waste time scoping them out — start with the Trendy Queen Oversized Sweatshirt, which is currently topping charts in the Women's Fashion Hoodies and Sweatshirts category. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Animal Control officers are continuing to scope North Kenyon Street and the area around the east-side neighborhood where Willie Mundine was attacked by two dogs. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Jan. 2024 The Barrier Islands of Lower Cape MORE FOR YOU The eastern reaches of Cape Cod serve as a crucial haven for a massive array of resident and migratory shorebirds, and the Lower Cape is a top spot for scoping them out. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 The city will hold a scoping meeting for the public to weigh in on what the environmental impact report should address on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at City Hall. Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 An online scoping questionnaire is available on the DNR’s Lake of the Woods webpage – mndnr.gov/lakeofthewoods – through Friday, March 15. Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2024 On any other game day, Curiel hits the field ahead of the game to scope it out. Nicole Pajer, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024 Just make sure to scope the nutrition label since some don’t provide many servings per container, or several scoops are needed to make one serving, Dr. Titchenal advises. Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2024 Other venues with calendars worth scoping include The Catalyst, which plays host to bands, karaoke nights and DJ events; Moe’s Alley, which has a spacious outdoor patio and food trucks; and the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, a destination for jazz performances and educational programs. Lauren Sloss, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 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!