scalable
Americanadjective
adjective
-
capable of being scaled or climbed
-
computing (of a network) able to be expanded to cope with increased use
Usage
What does scalable mean? Scalable means able to be expanded or made bigger. It’s especially applied to small businesses and computer networks.This sense of the word is based on the noun scale, referring to the size or extent of something. The related phrase scale up means to expand something or make it bigger. A company considered scalable is one that can be scaled up—it can use the same business model with a much larger operation. The term is especially used in the context of startups that could potentially become very large companies. A computer network or other virtual entity that’s scalable is one that can be expanded while allowing for increased use or additional computing capacity.Unrelatedly, scalable means able to be climbed. This sense of the word is based on the verb scale, meaning to climb.Example: It’s an interesting business model, but it’s not scalable—to expand, you’d need an unsustainable amount of raw materials and infrastructure.
Other Word Forms
- scalableness noun
- scalably adverb
- unscalable adjective
Etymology
Origin of scalable
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.
"Space offers a unique opportunity to rethink data structure, where small, scalable data centres in orbit can deliver efficiency, performance and flexibility," says Avi Shabtai, the CEO of Ramon Space, one firm developing the technology.
From BBC
The result is an imaging framework that is flexible, scalable, and capable of delivering high resolution in ways that were previously out of reach.
From Science Daily
Importantly, all of the materials used in the system are compatible with scalable manufacturing techniques, making the approach practical beyond the laboratory.
From Science Daily
“Scalability is fundamental to the growth and adoption of quantum computing, and we believe this breakthrough brings the industry much closer to a scalable, commercial gate-model system,” Lanting added.
From Barron's
This level of consistency is essential for building scalable quantum systems.
From Science Daily
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.
