microscopic

adjective

mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
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
microscopically adverb

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 Heavy metal poisoning occurs when microscopic molecules of metals — like lead, mercury and arsenic — accumulate within your body after exposure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include abdominal pain, chills, dehydration, feeling weak, and nausea or vomiting. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023 Now imagine these items being covered in microscopic fecal matter and just try not to gag. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023 On the call, McKee gently shared the diagnosis: Myers had had stage 1 CTE, characterized by one to three microscopic lesions. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2023 But many marine biologists are worried about a much smaller—in fact, microscopic—threat. Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023 Weather modification, also known as cloud seeding, involves injecting microscopic particles of silver iodide into the atmosphere to prompt snow and rain, easing severe droughts. The Week Staff, The Week, 4 Sep. 2023 According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people can get valley fever by breathing in microscopic fungal spores from the air. Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2023 Notice the microscopic structure of the granules of sand layered into the acrylic paint. Helmuth Rosales, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023 Papers published in respected medical journals document techniques for boosting the energy levels of these microscopic defenders and also for helping them more effectively detect and destroy cancer cells capable of evading standard immune system scrutiny. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microscopic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of microscopic was circa 1672

Dictionary Entries Near microscopic

Cite this Entry

“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

microscopic

adjective
mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
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
microscopically adverb

Medical Definition

microscopic

adjective
mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce microscopic (audio)
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
microscopically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on microscopic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!