noun

1. any of various utensils shaped like a small shovel or a ladle; specif.,
   1. a kitchen utensil used to take up sugar, flour, etc.
   2. a small utensil with a round bowl, for dishing up ice cream, mashed potatoes, etc.
   3. a small, spoonlike surgical instrument
2. the deep shovel of a dredge or steam shovel, which takes up sand, dirt, etc.
3. the act or motion of taking up with or as with a scoop
4. the amount taken up at one time by a scoop
5. a hollowed-out place
6. ☆ Informal
   1. the publication or broadcast of a news item before a competitor; beat
   2. such a news item
   3. current, esp. confidential, information

Etymology: ME scope < MDu schope, bailing vessel, schoppe, a shovel, akin to Ger schöpfen, to dip out, create

adjective

transitive verb

1. to take up or out with or as with a scoop
2. to empty by bailing
3. to dig (out); hollow (out)
4. to make by digging out
5. to gather (in or up) as if with a scoop
6. ☆ Informal to publish or broadcast a news item before (a competitor)