macromolecule

noun

mac·​ro·​mol·​e·​cule ˌma-krō-ˈmä-li-ˌkyü(ə)l 

: a very large molecule (as of a protein or rubber)

macromolecular

ˌma-krō-mə-ˈle-kyə-lər 

adjective

Examples of macromolecule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Studying cell division requires simultaneously viewing nanometer-scale macromolecules like proteins and DNA all the way up to millimeter-scale populations of cells, and over a time frame that ranges from seconds to weeks. —Somin Lee, The Conversation, 20 July 2023

Last year, the Curiosity rover identified two sites flush with complex organic macromolecules that resemble the goopy building blocks of oil on Earth. —Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 21 Nov. 2019

Quantum theory works extremely well at the scale of photons, electrons, atoms, molecules, even macromolecules. —Wired, 9 Dec. 2018

Last year, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was given in part to Frances H. Arnold, who for decades has been studying macromolecules known as enzymes. —David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 2 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Makromolekel (later Makromolekül), from makro- macro- + Molekel, Molekül molecule

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

macromolecule

noun

mac·​ro·​mol·​e·​cule ˌmak-rō-ˈmäl-i-ˌkyü(ə)l 

: a very large molecule (as of a protein, nucleic acid, or rubber) built up from smaller chemical structures compare micromolecule

macromolecular

-mə-ˈlek-yə-lər 

adjective