macronutrient

American  

[mak-roh-noo-tree-uhnt, -nyoo-] / ˌmæk roʊˈnu tri ənt, -ˈnju- /

noun

1. Nutrition. any of the nutritional components of the diet that are required in relatively large amounts: protein, carbohydrate, fat, and the macrominerals.

2. Botany. any of the three chemical elements required by plants in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

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macronutrient British  

/ ˌmækrəʊˈnjuːtrɪənt /

noun

1. any substance, such as carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen, that is required in large amounts for healthy growth and development

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Etymology

Origin of macronutrient

First recorded in 1940–45; macro- + nutrient

Example Sentences

The results should be interpreted within the ranges of macronutrient intake observed in the study.

From Science Daily • Feb. 17, 2026

He started counting every “macro” — or macronutrient of proteins, carbohydrates and fats — that went into his body, adding thousands of calories of canola oil to his smoothies so he could put on weight.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2025

It would need to compare a large number of people on two diets – one high in UPFs and one low in UPFs, but matched exactly for calorie and macronutrient content.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2024

However, thanks to the study design, they could determine that both the amount of calories, and the macronutrient composition of the males' diets, influenced the health of their offspring.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2024

“Emojis also help in English, where words like protein can mean the macronutrient from food or the concept from microbiology.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023