macronutrient

[ mak-roh-noo-tree-uhnt, -nyoo- ]

noun

1. Nutrition. any of the nutritional components of the diet that are required in relatively large amounts: protein, carbohydrate, fat, and the macrominerals.
2. Botany. any of the three chemical elements required by plants in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

macronutrient

/ ˌmækrəʊˈnjuːtrɪənt /

noun

1. any substance, such as carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen, that is required in large amounts for healthy growth and development

Word History and Origins

Origin of macronutrient¹

First recorded in 1940–45; macro- + nutrient

Example Sentences

Consider this series of studies, which assessed whether the order of various macronutrients eaten by people with Type 2 diabetes changed their insulin and glucose level spikes in response to food.

From Popular-Science

So many diets over the years have shunned various macronutrients, and the trends all contradict one another.

From Popular-Science

Macronutrients essentially make up the bulk of human energy.

From Popular-Science

This year, PopSci looks at the macronutrient beyond its most negative associations.

From Popular-Science

In fact, across all diet studies people generally lose around five to seven pounds over the course of a year, regardless of the balance of macronutrients.

From Popular-Science