macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌma-krə-ˈskä-pik 

1

: observable by the naked eye

2

: involving large units or elements

macroscopically

ˌma-krə-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of macroscopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the discovery of Dickinsonia, a now-iconic member of the Ediacaran biota and possibly the oldest macroscopic animal fossil recorded to date, challenges these notions and our understanding of evolution on Earth. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

The new proof broadly consists of three steps: derive the macroscopic theory from the mesoscopic one; derive the mesoscopic theory from the microscopic one; and then stitch them together in a single derivation of the macroscopic laws all the way from the microscopic ones. —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025

Whereas previous research has reported on individual cubes displaying improved properties, the new work showed these efficiency improvements can be achieved on a macroscopic scale. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Mar. 2021

With such slight masses, their quantum wave nature would manifest at macroscopic scales. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

macro- + -scopic (in microscopic)

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for macroscopic

• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• isotropic
• microscopic
• orthotopic
• orthotropic

Kids Definition

macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌmak-rə-ˈskäp-ik 

: large enough to be observed by the naked eye

macroscopic animals

Medical Definition

macroscopic

adjective

mac·​ro·​scop·​ic ˌmak-rə-ˈskäp-ik 

: large enough to be observed by the naked eye compare microscopic sense 2, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1

macroscopically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb