macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌma-krə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce macroscopic (audio)
1
: observable by the naked eye
2
: involving large units or elements
macroscopically adverb

Examples of macroscopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So, although macroscopic experience doesn’t behave that way, the microscopic laws do behave that way. Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Random quantum interactions will eventually, slowly, dissolve these macroscopic objects as well. Popular Mechanics, 7 Mar. 2023 In the presence of an external magnetic field, this phenomenon can be strong enough to cajole electron spins into lining up like little bar magnets, creating a macroscopic magnetic field within the material. Michael Greshko, WIRED, 28 Jan. 2024 Many of these questions concern mathematical structures that have a phase transition — a sudden macroscopic change, like ice melting to water. Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 The consequences of this crisis will, on a macroscopic scale, upend where and how humans can survive. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 2023 The sciences which developed the fastest (physics and chemistry) dealt with small scales of reality, and so scientists applied these approaches to try and explain macroscopic phenomena like consciousness. Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2023 For some dietary diversity, other teams have their sights set on using larger, macroscopic organisms. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 12 June 2023 That's utterly different from the macroscopic arrow of time. Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2012

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

Word History

Etymology

macro- + -scopic (in microscopic)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of macroscopic was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near macroscopic

Cite this Entry

“Macroscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macroscopic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

macroscopic

adjective
mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌmak-rə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce macroscopic (audio)
: large enough to be observed by the naked eye
macroscopic animals

Medical Definition

macroscopic

adjective
mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌmak-rə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce macroscopic (audio)
: large enough to be observed by the naked eye compare microscopic sense 2, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1
macroscopically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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