macrocosm

noun

mac·​ro·​cosm ˈma-krə-ˌkä-zəm How to pronounce macrocosm (audio)
Synonyms of macrocosmnext
1
: the great world : universe
2
: a complex that is a large-scale reproduction of one of its constituents
macrocosmic
ˌma-krə-ˈkäz-mik How to pronounce macrocosm (audio)
adjective
macrocosmically
ˌma-krə-ˈkäz-mi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce macrocosm (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

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Examples of macrocosm in a Sentence

almost the entirety of the vast macrocosm remains beyond our reach
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For me, to have this opportunity as two women is really thrilling professionally, personally, especially in the macrocosm of theater. — Dave Quinn, People.com, 22 Nov. 2024 Microcosm also meets macrocosm in Nohemí Pérez’s drawings: five monumental works that show forests on fire in the Catatumbo region of Columbia, which Pérez calls home. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French macrocosme, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin macrocosmus, from macro- macro- + -cosmus, in microcosmus microcosm

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of macrocosm was in 1602

Rhymes for macrocosm

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Browse Nearby Words

macroconjugant
macrocosm
macrocosmos
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Cite this Entry

“Macrocosm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macrocosm. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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Kids Definition

macrocosm

noun
mac·​ro·​cosm ˈmak-rə-ˌkäz-əm How to pronounce macrocosm (audio)
: the world as a whole : universe
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