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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-.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• macros
  plural

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

See Examples For:

macro macro- macros

The Treasury Department’s buyback announcement on Aug. 19 was the “main catalyst” for bitcoin’s surge, said Stephen Coltman, head of macro at 21shares, in an interview Friday.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

Traders are also reassessing the broader macro environment, which is becoming more constructive to bitcoin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

This is the advice of many observers, including Citi’s global macro research team led by Dirk Willer.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

High-funnel marketing strategies are being reworked, but O’Keeffe suggested that macro turnarounds also need help on the shelf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

He had no choice: Among the people who gave him money there was pretty obviously a built-in skepticism of so-called macro thinking.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

They knew that shortly after infecting a cat, asexual Toxoplasma starts making presexual cells known as merozoites, which in turn go on to form macro- and microgametes—the parasite version of egg and sperm cells.

From Science Magazine ● Mar. 30, 2023

Hudson’s lens is both local and global, and she says audiences often describe her work as both macro- and microscopic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2023

The focus wasn't on whole, complex foods, but on the key macro- and micronutrients they contain.

From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2023

There’s so much stimuli, there’s so many aggressions, micro- and macro-.

From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2019

Nothing about the micro- or macro- economic theory.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

“It’s clear that market expectations for lower oil prices ahead are also fading,” analysts at Deutsche Bank, led by Jim Reid, global head of macros research and thematic strategy, wrote in a note on Tuesday.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 2026

“Starting with the macros, gold is behaving like it should in a bull market.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026

Spreadsheets are often poorly documented and maintained, continues Whitehorn, "and the guy who wrote the macros has gone and the people in the department don't know how to run them."

From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2026

If you look at a nutrition label, you'll see that macros are measured in grams.

From Salon ● Dec. 30, 2024

So I made sure to load up all of my combat contingency macros.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• broad
• extensive
• large
• large-scale