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macro

[ mak-roh ]
/ ˈmĂŠk roʊ /
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adjective
very large in scale, scope, or capability.
of or relating to macroeconomics.
noun, plural mac·ros.
anything very large in scale, scope, or capability.
Photography. a macro lens.
Also called macroinstruction. Computers. an instruction that represents a sequence of instructions in abbreviated form.
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Origin of macro

Independent use of macro-, taken as an adjective, or by shortening of words with macro- as initial element

Other definitions for macro (2 of 2)

macro-

a combining form meaning “large,” “long,” “great,” “excessive,” used in the formation of compound words, contrasting with micro-: macrocosm; macrofossil; macrograph; macroscopic.
Also especially before a vowel, macr-.

Origin of macro-

<Greek makro-, combining form of makrĂłs long; cognate with Latin macer lean; see meager

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH macro-

macro- , micro-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use macro in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for macro (1 of 2)

macro
/ (ˈmĂŠkrəʊ) /

noun plural macros
a macro lens
Also: macro instruction a single computer instruction that initiates a set of instructions to perform a specific task

British Dictionary definitions for macro (2 of 2)

macro-

before a vowel macr-


combining form
large, long, or great in size or durationmacroscopic
(in pathology) indicating abnormal enlargement or overdevelopmentmacrocyte Compare micro- (def. 5)
producing larger than life imagesmacrophotography

Word Origin for macro-

from Greek makros large; compare Latin macer meagre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for macro

macro-

A prefix meaning “large,” as in macromolecule, a large molecule.
The American HeritageŸ Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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