macronutrient

noun

mac·​ro·​nu·​tri·​ent ˌma-krō-ˈnü-trē-ənt 

-ˈnyü-

: a chemical element or substance (such as potassium or protein) that is essential in relatively large amounts to the growth and health of a living organism compare micronutrient

Examples of macronutrient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

KPIs, BMIs, OKRs, credit scores, savings rates, social media likes, screen time, steps walked, hours worked, hours slept, to-dos done, to-dos still to do, books read, practice hours, blood pressure readings, calories consumed, macronutrient ratios, the list just keeps going. —Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026

Foods vary in macronutrient content, each with a different amount of energy (calories) per gram. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 19 Feb. 2026

Athletes need vitamins, too After satisfying their macronutrient needs, athletes need micronutrients, especially vitamin D and iron. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026

But in the big picture, these guidelines are not about adjusting macronutrients. —Vishal Khetpal, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

macro- + nutrient entry 2

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for macronutrient

• micronutrient
• nutrient

Medical Definition

macronutrient

noun

mac·​ro·​nu·​tri·​ent -ˈn(y)ü-trē-ənt 

: a substance (as a protein, carbohydrate, or fat) required in relatively large quantities for growth, energy, and health compare micronutrient