macron

American  

[mey-kron, mak-ron] / ˈmeɪ krɒn, ˈmæk rɒn /

noun

Phonetics, Orthography.

1. a horizontal line used as a diacritic over a vowel to indicate that it has a long sound or other specified pronunciation, as (ā) in fate (fāt).

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macron British  

/ ˈmækrɒn /

noun

1. a diacritical mark (¯) placed over a letter, used in prosody, in the orthography of some languages, and in several types of phonetic respelling systems, to represent a long vowel

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Etymology

Origin of macron

1850–55; noun use of Greek makrón, neuter of makrós long. See macro-

Example Sentences

The use of the macron above the letter "O" in names throughout the book is inconsistent.

From Japanese Fairy World Stories from the Wonder-Lore of Japan by Ozawa

A macron means a horizontal line over a letter.

From The Art or Crafte of Rhetoryke by Cox, Leonard, ca. 1495-

Double vowels representing a single long sound are rare except in a few names; the macron on the first “u” in “Tronhūus” is redundant.

From Three in Norway by Two of Them by Clutterbuck, Walter J.

The Chapter title does not use a macron at all, and has been left as printed.

From The Foundations of Japan Notes Made During Journeys Of 6,000 Miles In The Rural Districts As A Basis For A Sounder Knowledge Of The Japanese People by Scott, J.W. Robertson

Diacritical marks have been avoided, with the exception of the macron.

From The Little Clay Cart Mrcchakatika by Ryder, Arthur William