The scope of something is how much it covers or includes. When your teacher explains the scope of your science project, she's describing how big or complex it should be: will you study all birds or just eagles? The whole solar system or just Mars?

Scope helps you understand boundaries and limits. A book's scope might cover the entire Civil War or focus narrowly on a single battle. When someone says a problem is beyond the scope of what they can handle, they mean it's too big or complicated for their current abilities or authority. A school principal might say that changing state education laws is beyond the scope of her power.

In another meaning, a scope is a viewing instrument that helps you see things better. A telescope lets you see distant stars and planets. A microscope reveals tiny creatures invisible to your naked eye. A periscope allows submarine crews to see above the water's surface. Doctors use different kinds of scopes to look inside the body.

When you scope out a situation, you're carefully examining it to understand what you're dealing with. You might scope out a new playground before deciding where to play, or scope out the competition before a spelling bee begins.