very large in scale, scope, or capability.
of or relating to macroeconomics.
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.
large, long, or great in size or duration
macroscopic
(in pathology) indicating abnormal enlargement or overdevelopment Compare micro-
macrocyte
producing larger than life images
macrophotography
a macro lens
Also: macro instruction. a single computer instruction that initiates a set of instructions to perform a specific task
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-.
Independent use of macro-, taken as an adjective, or by shortening of words with macro- as initial element
< Greek makro-, combining form of makrós long; cognate with Latin macer lean; see meager
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."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The data, including industrial production, retail sales and fixed-asset investment, are expected to indicate overall improvement and signal economic resilience despite macro headwinds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Max Motz is a macro data scientist at Fundstrat Global Advisors, an investment research firm.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
However, CEO Kristin Peck highlighted “increased price sensitivity” among pet owners, previewing the macro headwinds that Singh would later flag.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
“Eric knows that he understands the show on a macro level. All of us actors have to understand it on a micro level; we have to be the experts in our characters,” Quaid says.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
“Execute security macro number one: Crom, strong in his mountain.”
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
