macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌma-krə-ˈskä-pik 

1

: observable by the naked eye

2

: involving large units or elements

macroscopically

ˌma-krə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of macroscopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The three scientists successfully verified that microscopic magnetic turbulence can initiate magnetic reconnection, causing a cascade of effects that reorganize plasma on a macroscopic scale. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025

At a macroscopic level, very few players are working in this niche space; while the urgency of addressing obesity and metabolic health is certainly well-recognized, few clinical services exist to address the problem with focused attention. —Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

This causes a separation of the positive and negative charges on the microscopic level that, on the macroscopic scale, comes out as electricity. —New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025

That doesn’t really happen in our everyday macroscopic world. —Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

macro- + -scopic (in microscopic)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for macroscopic

• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• isotropic
• microscopic
• orthotopic
• orthotropic

Kids Definition

macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌmak-rə-ˈskäp-ik 

: large enough to be observed by the naked eye

macroscopic animals

Medical Definition

macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌmak-rə-ˈskäp-ik 

: large enough to be observed by the naked eye compare microscopic sense 2, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1

macroscopically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb