micro

[ mahy-kroh ]

/ ˈmaɪ kroʊ /

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See synonyms for: micro / micros on Thesaurus.com

adjective

extremely small.

minute in scope or capability.

of or relating to microcomputers.

of or relating to microeconomics.

noun, plural mi·cros.

anything extremely small in scope or capability.

a microcomputer.

microeconomics.

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Origin of micro

Independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element

Other definitions for micro (2 of 2)

micro-

a combining form with the meanings “small” (microcosm; microgamete), “very small in comparison with others of its kind” (microcassette; microlith), “too small to be seen by the unaided eye” (microfossil; microorganism), “dealing with extremely minute organisms, organic structures, or quantities of a substance” (microdissection; microscope), “localized, restricted in scope or area” (microburst; microhabitat), “(of a discipline) focusing on a restricted area” (microeconomics), “containing or dealing with texts that require enlargement to be read” (microfilm; microreader), “one millionth” (microgram).

Also especially before a vowel, micr-.

Origin of micro-

<Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH micro-

macro-, micro-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use micro in a sentence

This sense of vulnerability is, of course, even more acute in micro-states like Jamaica.
How Maurice Tomlinson Was Outed in Jamaica—and Forced Into Exile|Jay Michaelson|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But as in the U.S. it also reflects the move from industrial-scale brewing to micro-brewings.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is certainly a lucrative yet dignified sweet spot between small time micro-brewer and soulless mass-producer.
House of the Witch: The Renegade Craft Brewers of Panama|Jeff Campagna|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even in the smallest of Indian locales, the divisions of geography and nationalism are played out on a micro scale.
The Real India Revealed|Rafia Zakaria|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

MacGregor convinced many to invest in, and hundreds to even move to, his fictional micro-nation.
So You Want to Rule a Kingdom? A Wacky History of One-Man Nations|Nina Strochlic|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is probably caused by two micro-organisms living in symbiosis—one a fusiform bacillus, the other a long spirillum (Fig. 124).
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Upon ulcerated surfaces it is often mingled with other spiral micro-organisms, which adds to the difficulty of its detection.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
He watched as Arnold conferred with a group of his techs about a micro-chron, and the time was carefully noted for Central Record.
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
Albert selected all the incriminating letters and documents he could find and packed the micro-files in his jacket.
Insidekick|Jesse Franklin Bone
Pathological micro-organisms have very complicated products which are in large part poisonous.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

British Dictionary definitions for micro (1 of 2)

micro

/ (ˈmaɪkrəʊ) /

adjective

very small

noun plural -cros

short for microcomputer, microlepidoptera, microprocessor, microwave oven

British Dictionary definitions for micro (2 of 2)

micro-

micr-

combining form

small or minutemicrospore

involving the use of a microscopemicrography

indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantitiesmicrometer

(in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopmentmicrocephaly; microcyte Compare macro- (def. 2)

denoting 10 –6microsecond Symbol: μ

Word Origin for micro-

from Greek mikros small

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for micro

micro-

pref.

Small:microblast.

Abnormally small:microcephaly.

Requiring or involving microscopy:microsurgery.

One-millionth (10-6):microliter.

Scientific definitions for micro

micro-

A prefix that means: small (as in microorganism) or one millionth (as in microsecond).

micro

Origin of micro

Other definitions for micro (2 of 2)

Origin of micro-

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH micro-

Words related to micro

How to use micro in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for micro (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for micro (2 of 2)

micr-

Word Origin for micro-

Medical definitions for micro

Scientific definitions for micro