1
: identical to an original in proportion and size
full-scale drawing
2
a
: involving full use of available resources
a full-scale biography
full-scale war
b
: total, complete
a full-scale musical renaissanceCurrent Biography

Examples of full-scale in a Sentence

a full-scale search and rescue for the victims of the rock slide
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.
Democrats coast-to-coast have promised a full-scale counterattack, should the Lone Star State move forward with redistricting. Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 30 July 2025 On Tuesday, the World Food Programme officially announced Gaza is on the brink of a full-scale famine. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 Back in 2014, before the current full-scale war in Ukraine, Russian paramilitaries seized control of Bukhov’s hometown of Donetsk in the country’s eastern Donbas region. Rory Fleming, CNN Money, 29 July 2025 The company expects to begin trial production runs soon before ramping up to full-scale manufacturing. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for full-scale

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of full-scale was in 1887

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Cite this Entry

“Full-scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/full-scale. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

full-scale

adjective
ˈfu̇l-ˈskā(ə)l
1
: identical to an original in size
2
: not limited in any way : using everything that can be used
a full-scale war
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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