—scale /skeɪl/
noun (MACHINE)
scales [plural] UK (US scale)B2 a device for weighing things or people:
» kitchen/bathroom scalesSee picture: scales used in hospitals 
Thesaurus+: ↑Weighing, measuring and counting devicesa pair of scales UK
F0 a weighing device with two containers connected to a metal bar that is free to move up and down about its fixed central point. An object of known weight is put in one container and the thing to be weighed is put in the other.
Thesaurus+: ↑Weighing, measuring and counting devicesnoun (MEASURE)
B2 [C] a set of numbers, amounts, etc., used to measure or compare the level of something:
» the Centigrade/Fahrenheit scale» How would you rate his work on a scale of 1 to 5?Thesaurus+: ↑General words for size and amountB2 [C or U] the relation between the real size of something and its size on a map, model, or diagram:
» a scale of 1:50,000» This map is large scale (= things are shown in detail).» Is the bridge drawn to scale (= so that it shows the exact shape of the bridge, but much smaller)?» He was building a scale model of Concorde.See picture: scale on a map Thesaurus+: ↑Models and mouldsThesaurus+: ↑Measurements in general
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Extra Examples:» Films are rated on a scale of poor, fair, good and excellent.» Like all reading book schemes, these books are on a graduated scale of difficulty.» On a scale of one to ten, I'd rate his latest book a five.» The new salary scale only refers to company managers and directors.» Management have offered an extra 2% to staff on the lowest end of the pay scale.noun [C usually plural] (SKIN)
► F0 one of the many very small, flat pieces that cover the skin of fish, snakes, etc.See picture: fish scales Thesaurus+: ↑The skin, hair and bone of non-human animals
noun [C] (MUSIC)
► F0 a set of notes played or sung in order, going up or down: » the scale of G major» You must practise your scales every day.See picture: musical scale Thesaurus+: ↑Notes of the musical scale
noun [S or U] (SIZE)
► B2 the size or level of something, especially when this is large: » We don't yet know the scale of the problem.» Nuclear weapons cause destruction on a massive scale (= cause a lot of destruction).» My parents used to entertain friends on a large/small scale (= they had large/small parties).Thesaurus+: ↑General words for size and amount• • •
Extra Examples:» He doesn't seem to comprehend the scale of the problem» This is a story about theft, fraud and deceit on an incredible scale.» If the drought continues, deaths will occur on a massive scale.» They enjoyed success on a scale unparalleled by any previous pop group.» This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an unprecedented scale.noun [U] (UK ALSO limescale) (COVERING)
► F0 a hard, white or grey layer of material that forms on the inside of pipes or containers that heat waterThesaurus+: ↑Coverings and layersverb [T] (CLIMB) ↑Verb Endings for scale
► F0 to climb up a steep surface, such as a wall or the side of a mountain, often using special equipment: » The prisoner scaled the high prison wall and ran off.Thesaurus+: ↑Moving upwardsverb [T] SPECIALIZED (CLEAN TEETH) ↑Verb Endings for scale
► F0 to remove tartar (= hard white substance) and plaque (= soft substance in which bacteria breed) from teeth: » The dentist scaled and polished my teeth last week.Thesaurus+: ↑Dentistry , ↑The teeth , ↑Problems with bones, joints and teeth