macrocosm

American  

[mak-ruh-koz-uhm] / ˈmæk rəˌkɒz əm /

noun

1. the great world or universe; the universe considered as a whole (opposed to microcosm).

2. the total or entire complex structure of something.

   the macrocosm of war.

3. a representation of a smaller unit or entity by a larger one, presumably of a similar structure.

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macrocosm British  

/ ˈmækrəˌkɒzəm /

noun

1. a complex structure, such as the universe or society, regarded as an entirety, as opposed to microcosms, which have a similar structure and are contained within it

2. any complex entity regarded as a complete system in itself

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macrocosm Cultural  

1. A representation of something on a much larger scale. (Compare microcosm.)

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Other Word Forms

• macrocosmic
  adjective
• macrocosmically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of macrocosm

1590–1600; < French macrocosme < Medieval Latin macrocosmus. See macro-, cosmos

Explanation

The macrocosm is everything that exists: it's another word for the universe or cosmos. If you know that micro means "small" and macro means "large," that can help you remember the meaning of this word: the macrocosm is the largest thing there is, since it's a word for everything in existence. Macrocosm is also used to talk about the big picture versus the little picture (the microcosm).

Example Sentences

The structure alone provides a glimpse into an ancient worldview in which the macrocosm reflects the microcosm, and everything that is or that happens inextricably connects to everything else.

From Scientific American • Jun. 14, 2023

All events in the skies were thought to affect those on Earth; the microcosm mirrors the macrocosm, it was believed.

From Nature • Dec. 12, 2019

“She is trying to hang onto who she is inside of what’s happening in the macrocosm in the world she’s policing,” she adds.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2017

But unlike most of Ms. Thurber’s previous work, in which we infer the macrocosm from the microcosm, “The Insurgents” plants us firmly within the frame of a big picture.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2015

“Yes, well, they also deliberately poison their own gardens, so we’re not talking about the brightest mammals in the macrocosm, are we?”

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman