microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik 
variants
or less commonly microscopical
1
: resembling a microscope especially in perception
2
a
: invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope
b
: very small or fine or precise
3
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
Synonyms
Examples of microscopic in a Sentence
At this point, the embryo is a microscopic clump of only 100 cells.
There is a microscopic crack in the diamond.
He has a microscopic attention span.
He recorded every aspect of his trip in microscopic detail.
a microscopic study of plant tissues
Recent Examples on the Web
Leading an experiment that was intentionally kept under the radar to minimize public backlash, the team started up a high-powered spraying machine and shot microscopic salt aerosol particles hundreds of feet into the morning air.
—
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
New generations of production technology are often described in terms of nanometers, or billionths of a meter, a measure of key dimensions of microscopic circuitry.
—Don Clark, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Viruses are far more microscopic than even bacteria, however, which meant effective spikes needed to be comparably smaller.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
This process is ideally suited for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which are electronic devices with microscopic components that employ movement.
—Phillip W. Barth, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Mar. 2024
So, although macroscopic experience doesn’t behave that way, the microscopic laws do behave that way.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Toxic amounts of chloride can kill plants and animals quickly, including zooplankton, which are microscopic animals that feed on algae.
—Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
Previously, scientists developed fluidic memristors based on tiny syringes or microscopic slits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
Pink Sand Beach is an apt name for the three-mile stretch that gets its signature hue from the microscopic coral insects that wash ashore.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2024
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Apr. 2024
New generations of production technology are often described in terms of nanometers, or billionths of a meter, a measure of key dimensions of microscopic circuitry.
—Don Clark, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Viruses are far more microscopic than even bacteria, however, which meant effective spikes needed to be comparably smaller.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
This process is ideally suited for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which are electronic devices with microscopic components that employ movement.
—Phillip W. Barth, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Mar. 2024
So, although macroscopic experience doesn’t behave that way, the microscopic laws do behave that way.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
Toxic amounts of chloride can kill plants and animals quickly, including zooplankton, which are microscopic animals that feed on algae.
—Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
Previously, scientists developed fluidic memristors based on tiny syringes or microscopic slits.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
Pink Sand Beach is an apt name for the three-mile stretch that gets its signature hue from the microscopic coral insects that wash ashore.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microscopic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near microscopic
Cite this Entry
“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik
variants
also microscopical
1
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
a microscopic examination
2
: resembling a microscope : able to see very tiny objects
some insects have microscopic vision
3
: able to be seen only through a microscope : very small
a microscopic plant
Medical Definition
microscopic
adjective
mi·cro·scop·ic
ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik
variants
or microscopical
1
: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
2
: so small or fine as to be invisible or indistinguishable without the use of a microscope compare macroscopic, submicroscopic, ultramicroscopic sense 1
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share