Definition of macro-

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: large : on a large scale macrofossil macromolecule macroscopic often used in compounds with a corresponding compound formed with micro-

macro

adjective
mac·​ro | \ ˈma-(ˌ)krō How to pronounce macro (audio) \

Definition of macro (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : being large, thick, or exceptionally prominent
2a : of, involving, or intended for use with relatively large quantities or on a large scale
b : of or relating to macroeconomics
4 : of or relating to a macro lens or to close-up photography

macro

noun
plural macros

Definition of macro (Entry 3 of 3)

: a single computer instruction that stands for a sequence of operations

Examples of macro- in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In the macro world, both teams agree that mechanisms that generate randomness are only possible because of our ignorance of the forces or algorithms that drive them. Quanta Magazine, "The Puzzling Search for Perfect Randomness," 20 Aug. 2019 The quad-camera array includes a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 primary sensor with an f/1.8 lens, an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 2-megapixel camera used for depth information in portrait mode, and a dedicated 2-megapixel macro camera. Sam Byford, The Verge, "Realme 5 and 5 Pro announced with quad cameras and low prices," 20 Aug. 2019 For example, in Lotus, /FS is the command equivalent to File > Save, and the macro command for File > Save. Jd Sartain, PCWorld, "5 ancient software programs we refuse to give up," 31 July 2019 For the new project, technicians employed macro X-ray fluorescence—which detected zinc in the drawing materials used—as well as hyperspectral imaging. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Imaging Reveals Leonardo da Vinci Wrestled With the Composition for ‘Virgin of the Rocks’," 15 Aug. 2019 For some, its lack of a customizable weight and a small selection of macro buttons might be deal-breakers. Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, "Razer’s new Viper is a light and fast ambidextrous wired gaming mouse," 2 Aug. 2019 Taking the macro view, this early part of this fire season may become a rare anomaly as scientists have predicted that climate change will likely make catastrophic wildfires more frequent and more intense. oregonlive.com, "Oregon’s wildfire season is off to a slow start, but crews sit ready and waiting," 24 July 2019 The Association has three macro-level functions: governance, management of a reserve, management of an open-source technology. Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "There’s a big problem with Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency," 11 July 2019 This experiment doesn’t rule out heavy macro dark matter altogether, Scherrer says. Juanita Bawagan, Science | AAAS, "If this type of dark matter existed, people would be dying of unexplained ‘gunshot’ wounds," 19 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The new study explores what those traces might look like if the macros hit people. Juanita Bawagan, Science | AAAS, "If this type of dark matter existed, people would be dying of unexplained ‘gunshot’ wounds," 19 July 2019 From the macro to the in-game micro, Cincinnati's had to scratch and claw for everything it's earned in 2019. Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati hangs on for 3-2 win against Houston Dynamo," 6 July 2019 The 2018 survey, given to 27,000 Americans, contains both a macro and a micro story. Julie Heath, Cincinnati.com, "Region's Economy: The state of Ohio's financial capability," 2 July 2019 That attack, which seems to currently target Korean-language users, launches through malicious macros. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, "How Hackers Turn Microsoft Excel's Own Features Against It," 27 June 2019 Seeing the micro and macro at the same time is what Boyden’s latest invention, expansion microscopy, is all about. Quanta Magazine, "A Neurobiologist Thinks Big — and Small," 18 Jan. 2018 Takada cited the sharp deterioration in an internal equity sentiment index, which is calculated by the Nomura macro and quant strategy teams and is based on unspecified market data. Matt Egan, CNN, "Swings in market sentiment resemble pre-Lehman crisis, strategist warns," 6 June 2019 Tobias Gremmler’s incredible video art was at the heart of this, flying from the macro to the micro with kaleidoscopic shifts that take the audience on a journey with and through Björk. Chloe Schama, Vogue, "Meet the Set Designer Behind For Björk Latest Showstopping Performance," 10 May 2019 That's why counting macros can be helpful with keeping your body in balance. Colleen Stinchcombe, Redbook, "What Are Macros, Exactly?," 27 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'macro-.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of macro-

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for macro-

Combining form

borrowed from Greek makro-, combining form of makrós "long, tall, high, large" — more at meager

Adjective

independent use of macro-

Noun

short for macroinstruction, from macro- + instruction

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More Definitions for macro-

English Language Learners Definition of macro-

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: large

macro

noun

English Language Learners Definition of macro (Entry 2 of 2)

computers : a set of instructions that causes a computer to perform a series of tasks

macro

adjective
mac·​ro | \ ˈmak-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce macro (audio) \

Medical Definition of macro

1 : large, thick, or excessively developed macro layer of the cerebral cortex
2a : of or involving large quantities : intended for use with large quantities a macro procedure in analysis carrying out a test on a macro scale
b : gross sense 1b the macro appearance of a specimen