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
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
The culprit, Cyclospora cayetanensis, is a microscopic parasite that’s found in human feces.
—
Caroline Kee,
NBC news,
3 July 2026
One topic in Turner’s exploration involves microplastics, the microscopic fragments created as plastic materials break down in oceans, rivers, and wastewater systems.
—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season.
—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Then the cell performs an astounding, microscopic feat of strength.
—
Jake Buehler,
Quanta Magazine,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
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Caroline Kee,
NBC news,
3 July 2026
One topic in Turner’s exploration involves microplastics, the microscopic fragments created as plastic materials break down in oceans, rivers, and wastewater systems.
—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season.
—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Then the cell performs an astounding, microscopic feat of strength.
—
Jake Buehler,
Quanta Magazine,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for microscopic
Cite this Entry
“Microscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscopic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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
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