macro-

UK: /ˌmækrəʊ-/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

macro-, prefix. 

1. macro- comes from Greek, where it has the meaning "large (or long), esp. in comparison with others of its kind.'' This meaning is found in such words as: macrobiotic, macrocosm, macron. Compare micro-.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

macro-, (before a vowel)macr- combining_form

1. large, long, or great in size or duration: macroscopic
2. (in pathology) indicating abnormal enlargement or overdevelopment
   Compare micro-5

Etymology: from Greek makros large; compare Latin macer meagre

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mac•ro  (mak′rō), adj., n., pl. -ros. 
adj. 

1. very large in scale, scope, or capability.
2. of or pertaining to macroeconomics.

n. 

3. anything very large in scale, scope, or capability.
4. Photography a macro lens.
5. Computing Also called macroinstruction. an instruction that represents a sequence of instructions in abbreviated form.
6. Business macroeconomics.

• independent use of macro-, taken as an adjective, or by shortening of words with macro- as initial element

macro-, 

1. a combining form meaning "large,'' "long,'' "great,'' "excessive,'' used in the formation of compound words, contrasting with micro-: macrocosm;
   macrofossil;
   macrograph;
   macroscopic.

Also,[esp. before a vowel,] macr-. 

• Greek makro-, combining form of makrós long; cognate with Latin macer lean; see meager