macro

1 of 3

adjective

mac·​ro ˈma-(ˌ)krō 

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

Adjective

Runway Influence, an influencer marketing agency focused on luxury brands, is adapting to industry skepticism and tech disruption—as well as the future of micro, macro and mega-influencers. —Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

As a whole, the country is still facing a housing shortage of almost 4 million homes, according to Realtor.com, so the U.S. housing market is still far from balanced on a macro level. —Maryam Ahmed, Austin American Statesman, 11 July 2025

Noun

Step 3: Count Your Macros Read nutrition labels to determine the amount of macros in your food. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 2 July 2025

The Apex strategy from Cliff Asness’ firm, which combines stocks, macro and arbitrage trades and has $4.3 billion in assets under management, rallied 11.4% in the first six months of the year, according to a person familiar with AQR’s returns who asked to be anonymous as the information is private. —Yun Li, CNBC, 1 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing macro

• macro lens

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 

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