micro

¹

[ mahy-kroh ]

adjective

1. extremely small.
2. minute in scope or capability.
3. of or relating to microcomputers.
4. of or relating to microeconomics.

noun

, plural mi·cros.

1. anything extremely small in scope or capability.
2. a microcomputer.
3. microeconomics.

micro-

²

1. a combining form with the meanings “small” ( microcosm; microgamete ), “very small in comparison with others of its kind” ( microcassette; microlith ), “too small to be seen by the unaided eye” ( microfossil; microorganism ), “dealing with extremely minute organisms, organic structures, or quantities of a substance” ( microdissection; microscope ), “localized, restricted in scope or area” ( microburst; microhabitat ), “(of a discipline) focusing on a restricted area” ( microeconomics ), “containing or dealing with texts that require enlargement to be read” ( microfilm; microreader ), “one millionth” ( microgram ).

micro-

¹

combining_form

1. small or minute

   microspore

2. involving the use of a microscope

   micrography

3. indicating a method or instrument for dealing with small quantities

   micrometer

4. (in pathology) indicating abnormal smallness or underdevelopment Compare macro-

   microcyte

   microcephaly

5. denoting 10 ^–6 μ

   microsecond

micro

²

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊ /

adjective

1. very small

noun

1. short for microcomputer microlepidoptera microprocessor microwave oven

micro–

1. A prefix that means: “small” (as in microorganism ) or “one millionth” (as in microsecond ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro¹

Independent use of micro-, or shortening of words with this initial element

Origin of micro²

< Greek: combining form representing mīkrós small

Word History and Origins

Origin of micro¹

from Greek mikros small

Example Sentences

Süel and his colleagues focused on physiological mechanisms related to ribosomes, the micro machines within cells that play a key role in synthesizing proteins and translating genetic codes.

From Science Daily

They've also undeniably been a spectacular bummer, on a macro and micro scale.

From Salon

Additionally, it accommodates electric micro transit and regional park-and-ride shuttles — a free service provided by the Intuit Dome from five designated locations.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s these little things you can change, like helping a kid get to college, helping them navigate a broken world. Those micro changes make a bigger difference.”

From Los Angeles Times

It gave me the wings to say that even at this micro level, this really matters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compact
• mini
• pocket
• pocket-size
• portable
• scaled-down
• small