DictionarycompassRange or scope
noun

compass

The extent or limits of something.

The topic lies beyond the compass of this essay.

Etymology

The older word names a circle or its extent. Compass broadens that enclosing outline to the range within which something falls or operates.

More examples

  • Her interests fell within a wide compass.
  • The report covered the full compass of the investigation.
  • The question was outside the compass of his authority.

Forms

compass · compasses

Similar words

scope
The usual term for the range of a subject or activity.
range
The spread between limits, sometimes physical or numerical.