macroeconomics

American  

[mak-roh-ek-uh-nom-iks, -ee-kuh-] / ˌmæk roʊˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪks, -ˌi kə- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of economics dealing with the broad and general aspects of an economy, as the relationship between the income and investments of a country as a whole.

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macroeconomics British  

/ -ˌɛk-, ˌmækrəʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of economics concerned with aggregates, such as national income, consumption, and investment Compare microeconomics

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macroeconomics Cultural  

1. The part of economic theory that deals with aggregates, such as national income, total employment, and total consumption. (Compare microeconomics.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• macroeconomist
  noun
• macroeconomic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of macroeconomics

First recorded in 1945–50; macro- + economics

Compare meaning

How does macroeconomics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• macroeconomics vs. microeconomics

Example Sentences

Samuel Tombs, chief U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, calculates that higher gasoline prices will likely only add roughly 0.3 percentage points to headline sales in the April data.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

But Samuel Tombs, chief US economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said job growth was likely to start to slow in the coming months.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Samuel Tombs, of Pantheon Macroeconomics, notes that “corporate profits are just one piece of the economic pie.”

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

“Inflation is headed for 3%, and it will stay close to this level for a while,” Claus Vistesen, chief eurozone economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said in a note to clients.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

We all sat in the same arrangement in Macroeconomics, too:Megan in front of me, Joey on my right.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith