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

plural

macros

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  

/ 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- ² 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– 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-¹

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

Example Sentences

The analysts said that at Sweetgreen, they expect that “store traffic will take time to inflect positively as macro pressures are likely to persist and consumer spending remains depressed, particularly among younger consumers.”

From MarketWatch

The foreign-exchange markets appear to be viewing this development as a contained headline risk rather than an event with meaningful macro or policy implications, the team adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Larry Jeddeloh is the editor of The Institutional Strategist and founder of TIS Group, an independent global macro research service covering global stocks and other financial markets.

From MarketWatch

Importantly, the data also help resolve the key macro debate of recent months: Whether the job slowdown is demand-driven or supply-driven.

From MarketWatch

AI stocks this past year, but investors aren’t fretting about a possible AI bubble in China, says Jitania Kandhari, head of macro and thematic research for emerging markets equity at Morgan Stanley.

From Barron's

Related Words

• broad
• extensive
• large
• large-scale