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• macro
  macro

  adjective

  very large in scale, scope, or capability.
• macro-
  macro-

  a combining form meaning “large,” “long,” “great,” “excessive,” used in the formation of compound words, contrasting with micro-: macrocosm; macrofossil; macrograph; macroscopic.
• macro–
  macro–

  A prefix meaning “large,” as in macromolecule, a large molecule.

macro

¹ American  

[mak-roh] / ˈmæk roʊ /

adjective

1. very large in scale, scope, or capability.

2. of or relating to macroeconomics.

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noun

macros plural

1. anything very large in scale, scope, or capability.

2. Photography. a macro lens.

3. Also called macroinstruction.  Computers. an instruction that represents a sequence of instructions in abbreviated form.

4. macroeconomics.

macro- ² American  

especially before a vowel, macr-.

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

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macro- ¹ British  

combining form

1. large, long, or great in size or duration

   macroscopic

2. (in pathology) indicating abnormal enlargement or overdevelopment Compare micro-

   macrocyte

3. producing larger than life images

   macrophotography

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macro ² British  

/ ˈmækrəʊ /

noun

1. a macro lens

2. Also: macro instruction.  a single computer instruction that initiates a set of instructions to perform a specific task

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macro– Scientific  

1. A prefix meaning “large,” as in macromolecule, a large molecule.

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Usage

What does macro- mean? Macro- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “large; long; great; excessive.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. Macro- comes from Greek makrós, meaning “long.” The Latin translation of makrós is longus, also meaning “long,” which is the source of terms such as longanimity and longitude. To learn more, check out our entries for both words. What are variants of macro-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, macro- becomes macr-, as in macrencephaly. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about macr-.

Etymology

Origin of macro¹

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

Origin of macro-²

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

Explanation

Anything macro is enlarged or on a very large scale. A macro perspective on life is one that stands back and takes in the entirety of experience, rather than examining smaller details up close. While two political parties might argue over specifics, a political analyst might claim that on a macro (or large-scale) level, their policies and positions are essentially the same. A macro lens for a camera, however, does examine small details, but does it by blowing them up into something large. With a macro lens, you can photograph a butterfly or a flower and capture every last tiny element on film. Macro has a Greek root, makros, "long or large."

Example Sentences

“It has become the go-to venue for price discovery for something you can’t trade otherwise,” said Stephen Coltman, head of macro at 21shares, about the Hyperliquid ecosystem.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

“The pullback comes after a strong run, with prices slipping from the recent highs hit just last week amid intensifying macro headwinds,” the analysts write.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Strong demand pulled ahead to 2024 and 2025, driving a high comparison base, should also weigh, while macro headwinds and weak consumer sentiment persist, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

For small caps to keep rising, the macro backdrop likely needs to become more stable, Hackett said.

From MarketWatch • May 16, 2026

This one happened to be an economist who, instead of thinking grand macro thoughts, favored his own list of offbeat micro curiosities.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• broad
• extensive
• large
• large-scale