macro

1 of 3

adjective

mac·​ro ˈma-(ˌ)krō How to pronounce macro (audio)
1
: being large, thick, or exceptionally prominent
2
a
: of, involving, or intended for use with relatively large quantities or on a large scale
b
: of or relating to macroeconomics
3
: gross sense 1b
4
: of or relating to a macro lens or to close-up photography

macro

2 of 3

noun

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

macro-

3 of 3

combining form

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

Examples of macro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This is what drives so much NBA content at the macro level. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 24 June 2026 One macro factor driving this is the prospect of higher interest rates. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Noun
Zoom out to the macro and the shape gets stranger still. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Remember that’s with a couple of wars going on and a bunch of noisy macros. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for macro

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

independent use of macro-

Noun

short for macroinstruction, from macro- + instruction

Combining form

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of macro was in 1933

Phrases Containing macro

Browse Nearby Words

Macri
macro
macro-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Macro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macro. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

macro

noun
mac·​ro
ˈmak-rō
plural macros
: a single computer instruction that represents a series of operations

Medical Definition

macro

adjective
mac·​ro ˈmak-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce macro (audio)
1
: large, thick, or excessively developed
macro layer of the cerebral cortex
2
a
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on macro

Nglish: Translation of macro for Spanish Speakers

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