ˈæmbɪt ˈbæk.ɡɹaʊnd ˈɔː.bɪt ˈɔɹ.bɪt əˈsɪl.ɪ.skəʊp ɹeɪndʒ ɹiːt͡ʃ ˈsɛtɪŋ ˈtɛl.ɪ.skəʊp ˈtɛl.əˌskoʊp electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities a magnifier of images of distant objects an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: a piano has a greater range than the human voice the ambit of municipal legislation within the compass of this article within the scope of an investigation outside the reach of the law in the political orbit of a world power the state of the environment in which a situation exists you can't do that in a university setting