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
Digital scent recognition The device contains 16 microscopic gas sensors, each designed to respond differently to airborne chemical compounds.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
Fine particles include microscopic sediment, debris and organic matter, including phytoplankton, wildfire ash, decaying plant debris and clay.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
This generates a phenomenon called acoustic cavitation, in which microscopic bubbles quickly form and pop in the liquid.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Nematodes are microscopic, thread-like roundworms that naturally inhabit the soil and serve as an effective organic pest control.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
Fine particles include microscopic sediment, debris and organic matter, including phytoplankton, wildfire ash, decaying plant debris and clay.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
This generates a phenomenon called acoustic cavitation, in which microscopic bubbles quickly form and pop in the liquid.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Nematodes are microscopic, thread-like roundworms that naturally inhabit the soil and serve as an effective organic pest control.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 June 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 18 Jun. 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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