Mega-

Pronunciation

• enPR: mÄ•gʹə, IPA: /ˈmɛɡə/
• also IPA: /ˈmeɪɡə/

Origin

From Ancient Greek μέγας (megas, "great, large, mighty"), from Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂s ("great"). Cognate with Latin magnus, and with Germanic words: Gothic 𐌼𐌹𐌺𐌹𐌻𐍃 (mikils), Old English micel, Middle English muchel, English much, Old High German mihhil, Old Norse mikill, Danish meget.

Prefix

1. (originally) Very large, great. Denoting a size larger than usual.
2. In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by one million (10

1. (computing) Multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 2

1. (computing, marketing) Multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 2

Usage notes

Because the meaning "2

20

" is in conflict with the meaning "one million" used with SI units, the alternative mebi- has been proposed, with Mi proposed for use with SI units and M in computing. This sense is US only not widely used.

Synonyms

• (very large) megalo-, before a vowel megal-
• before a vowel meg-

Antonyms

• micro-

Derived terms

Related terms

• mega (adjective)
• much
• almagest