microcosm

American  

[mahy-kruh-koz-uhm] / ˈmaɪ krəˌkɒz əm /

noun

• microcosms
  plural

1. a little world; a world in miniature (opposed to macrocosm).

   The human body is a microcosm.

2. anything regarded as a representative, miniature version of a larger complex reality.

   The fictional small town of Black Rock, California, serves as a microcosm of America in the postwar era.

3. Environmental Science. a controlled experimental environment or ecosystem small enough to be housed in a laboratory and reproducing conditions that occur on a larger scale in the outdoors.

   Researchers have investigated the survival of this bacteria in saline solutions and seawater in laboratory microcosms.

4. human beings, humanity, society, or the like, viewed as an epitome or miniature of the world or universe.

   In the human microcosm, intellect is the deep spiritual center of being.

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microcosm British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌkɒzəm /

noun

1. a miniature representation of something, esp a unit, group, or place regarded as a copy of a larger one

2. man regarded as epitomizing the universe

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microcosm Cultural  

1. A representation of something on a much smaller scale. Microcosm means “small world,” and in the thought of the Renaissance, it was applied specifically to human beings, who were considered to be small-scale models of the universe, with all its variety and contradiction. (Compare macrocosm.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• microcosmic
  adjective
• microcosmical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• microcosms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of microcosm

First recorded in 1150–1200; micro- ( def. ) + -cosm ( def. )

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Explanation

When you think of microcosm, picture your home town inside a snow globe. The teeny tiny city is a microcosm of the one you live in. It is that place in miniature. Microcosm can be used to describe anything that is a miniature representation of something else. Think of a specific event that symbolizes the way things always seems to go, like the way a kind act by your mom can represent the caring relationship you have with her. That weekend with your partner that started with laughter but ended in tears? That's a microcosm of the whole lousy relationship. The dance where you regretted your outfit, giggled with friends, annoyed a teacher, and missed your chance at dancing with your crush? A microcosm of high school.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microcosm microcosms

"That's the sort of microcosm of what I see in America at its best moments."

From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026

“What happens inside a fraternity party is really just a microcosm of what happens elsewhere on campus,” he said, insisting fraternities were “not a portal to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

But the way which Fox saw off the competition - and played the final hole - was a microcosm of his approach to the sport.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

“Night Nurse” is more about the microcosm of this sleepy retirement community — where money and power still have influence, despite their stasis — than it is the outcome of Eleni and Douglas’ affair.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

This monster of a land, this mightiest of nations, this spawn of the future, turns out to be the macrocosm of microcosm me.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Her approach consists of combining aerosol and seawater samples with sediment records, satellite data and lab microcosms to pin down cause and effect.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2025

My project Common Ground delves into how London parks serve as microcosms of infinite perspectives, a stage from which to observe the myriad of facets in urban life.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2024

“Hospitals and other health care entities are microcosms of society,” said Rumay Alexander, who teaches nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and advises the American Nurses Association.

From New York Times ● Oct. 24, 2023

Since Marcel lives in the human world, Slate said that one of the major joys of creating his microcosms lies in repurposing household items from their intended use for his everyday activities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2022

And the multiplicity of mirrors, and the message of the laconic monosyllable “Hot” on silver taps, and the discretion of the lighting, all indicated that the architect and creator of these marvellous microcosms had “understood.”

From The Lion's Share by Arnold Bennett

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