Macro

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈmæk.ɹoÊŠ/
• UK IPA: /ˈmæk.ɹəʊ/

1933, from macro-, from French, from Latin, from Ancient Greek μακρός (makros, "long").

Full definition of macro

Adjective

1. Very large in scope or scale.

1959, shortened form of macroinstruction.

Noun

1. (programming, computing) A comparatively human-friendly abbreviation of complicated input to a computer program.The pre-processor expands any embedded macros into source code before it is compiled.

Usage notes

Often used attributively; a macro language is the syntax for defining new macros; while macro expansion refers to the task of replacing the human-friendly version with a machine-readable version; a macro virus is a computer virus written in a macro language. Individual macros are sometimes referred to as macro functions, particularly when they accept parameters.

The distinction between a macro language and a programming language is imprecise. Often a macro language are designed to allow you to customize one particular program, while a programming language is designed for writing entirely new programs.

While a shortcut is particularly easy to use, widely supported, and designed for normal users; macro systems are normally designed for power users.

1971, elliptical form of macro lens, from macro- + lens. Compare macrophotography.

Noun

1. (photography) macro lens

Anagrams

• carom
• Marco