macrocosm
Americannoun
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the great world or universe; the universe considered as a whole (opposed to microcosm).
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the total or entire complex structure of something.
the macrocosm of war.
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a representation of a smaller unit or entity by a larger one, presumably of a similar structure.
noun
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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
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any complex entity regarded as a complete system in itself
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The way a poker game is “a macrocosm of life – every new hand is your fate and you can play with your fate”.
From The Guardian • Sep. 22, 2016
This monster of a land, this mightiest of nations, this spawn of the future, turns out to be the macrocosm of microcosm me.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
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.
