macron

[ mey-kron, mak-ron ]

noun

, Phonetics, Orthography.

1. a horizontal line used as a diacritic over a vowel to indicate that it has a long sound or other specified pronunciation, as (ā) in fate (fāt).

macron

/ ˈmækrɒn /

noun

1. a diacritical mark (¯) placed over a letter, used in prosody, in the orthography of some languages, and in several types of phonetic respelling systems, to represent a long vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of macron¹

1850–55; noun use of Greek makrón, neuter of makrós long. See macro-

Word History and Origins

Origin of macron¹

C19: from Greek makron something long, from makros long

Example Sentences

“Once you grasp the vowels, you can get your tongue around most of the words — long sounds, short sounds, the macron,” the horizontal line above a vowel that indicates a stressed syllable, he said.

From New York Times

But according to observers, macron's un speech, in which he accused Russia of a modern-day imperialism and urged developing nations to side against Moscow, marked a shift in tone.

From Reuters

From individual tartlets topped with seasonal fruit to chocolate eclairs, plus layer cakes, napoleons, macrons and quiche, there’s something to satisfy anyone.

From Seattle Times

Many protesters slammed the French media for portraying the protests as led by violent agitators and for siding with macrons government.

From Fox News

“And then I had seen someone else put the macron over a vowel in their name, so that’s how that happened.”

From The New Yorker