mac
1 Americannoun
noun
abbreviation
abbreviation
noun
abbreviation
abbreviation
prefix
noun
Etymology
Origin of mac1
First recorded in 1650–60; special use of Mac
Origin of mac2
Shortened form
Origin of mac3
Shortened form
Origin of Mac-7
< Irish, Scots Gaelic mac son, Old Irish macc; akin to Welsh, Cornish mab
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They arrived alongside Kraft mac and cheese and green beans, the plate a tidy arrangement of beige, orange and green.
From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026
I think the first time I went, they had a really good oxtail mac and cheese.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
I once ordered it at a chain restaurant that shall remain diplomatically unnamed, only to discover that it was functionally identical to the toddler’s mac and cheese at our table.
From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026
They have taught her a few things: how to make mac and cheese, follow American football and wear university merchandise without shame.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026
My mom ran out to the gas station and bought a box of mac and cheese.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.