large-scale
Americanadjective
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very extensive or encompassing; of great scope.
a large-scale business plan.
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made to a large scale.
a large-scale map.
adjective
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wide-ranging or extensive
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(of maps and models) constructed or drawn to a big scale
Etymology
Origin of large-scale
First recorded in 1885–90
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Coincidentally, that timeline lines up with the date most quantum developers are targeting for the advent of large-scale, commercial-grade quantum computers.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
Milk parsley is their key food plant and formed part of East Yorkshire's natural fen landscape until large-scale drainage in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
Moving from large-scale systems to molecular machines introduces challenges such as Brownian motion, which makes precise control more difficult.
From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced its “ICE Detention Reengineering Initiative” in February, which calls for “eight large-scale detention centers and 16 processing sites, as well as the acquisition of 10 existing ‘turnkey’ facilities.”
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
Not even large-scale gleanings get on the news.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.