macrocosm

[ mak-ruh-koz-uhm ]

noun

1. the great world or universe; the universe considered as a whole ( microcosm ).
2. the total or entire complex structure of something:

   the macrocosm of war.

3. a representation of a smaller unit or entity by a larger one, presumably of a similar structure.

macrocosm

/ ˈmækrəˌkɒzəm /

noun

1. a complex structure, such as the universe or society, regarded as an entirety, as opposed to microcosms, which have a similar structure and are contained within it
2. any complex entity regarded as a complete system in itself

macrocosm

1. A representation of something on a much larger scale. ( Compare microcosm .)

Derived Forms

• ˌmacroˈcosmic, adjective
• ˌmacroˈcosmically, adverb

Other Words From

• macro·cosmic adjective
• macro·cosmi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of macrocosm¹

1590–1600; < French macrocosme < Medieval Latin macrocosmus. See macro-, cosmos

Word History and Origins

Origin of macrocosm¹

C16: via French and Latin from Greek makros kosmos great world

Example Sentences

The structure alone provides a glimpse into an ancient worldview in which the macrocosm reflects the microcosm, and everything that is or that happens inextricably connects to everything else.

From Scientific American

“And it was just mayhem that was about to erupt, I felt. I just know that there are greater forces than us. We think we’re so almighty. And I just wanted to say no, we’re just little minuscule, like, specks of dust within this macrocosm of the universe.”

From Los Angeles Times

The social slippage that has led the world to become a macrocosm of the Swap Shop — so many of us free-diving for usable ephemera, pooling our limited resources with one another — is not something to celebrate.

From New York Times

“It’s making a link between the microcosm and macrocosm,” she added, creating “an idea of a world that doesn’t only include the Earth.”

From New York Times

It might be thought that Copernicus was responsible for the destruction of the correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm.

From Literature