microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik 
variants
or less commonly microscopical
1
: resembling a microscope especially in perception
2
a
: invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope
b
: very small or fine or precise
3
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
Examples of microscopic in a Sentence
At this point, the embryo is a microscopic clump of only 100 cells.
There is a microscopic crack in the diamond.
He has a microscopic attention span.
He recorded every aspect of his trip in microscopic detail.
a microscopic study of plant tissues
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the best places to visit in Puerto Rico are its rare bioluminescent bays, where the water appears to glow at night thanks to microscopic organisms that are stimulated by movement.
—
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026
The phenomenon is driven by atomic vibrations that act as a microscopic defense mechanism.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
However, instead of being microscopic and embedded in a chip, these valves were incandescent filaments encased in vacuum and glass that were inches long.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
In fact, even without visible mold, microscopic spores may be present and multiply quickly if berries aren’t cleaned and dried well.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
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Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026
The phenomenon is driven by atomic vibrations that act as a microscopic defense mechanism.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
However, instead of being microscopic and embedded in a chip, these valves were incandescent filaments encased in vacuum and glass that were inches long.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
In fact, even without visible mold, microscopic spores may be present and multiply quickly if berries aren’t cleaned and dried well.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
Cite this Entry
“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik
variants
also microscopical
1
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
a microscopic examination
2
: resembling a microscope : able to see very tiny objects
some insects have microscopic vision
3
: able to be seen only through a microscope : very small
a microscopic plant
Medical Definition
microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik
variants
or microscopical
1
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
2
: so small or fine as to be invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope compare macroscopic, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1
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