noun (plural)

macros

MAK-rohz

Macros (noun (plural)) means the three types of nutrient that food supplies in large amounts and that provide energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. People who count macros track how many grams of each they eat. Example: “He weighs his lunch so he can log his macros accurately.”

noun (plural)

nutrition, informal The three types of nutrient that food supplies in large amounts and that provide energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. People who count macros track how many grams of each they eat.

"He weighs his lunch so he can log his macros accurately."

"The app breaks every meal down into macros and calories."

computing In computing, saved sequences of commands or keystrokes that can be replayed with a single instruction, used to automate repetitive work in a program.

"The spreadsheet came with macros that reformat the report in one click."

How to use macros

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe protein, carbs and fat in what you eat.

When to use it

Informal shortening; nutrition literature prefers the full word macronutrients. The computing sense belongs to a completely separate field.

Memory tip

Almost always plural in the nutrition sense; a single 'macro' is rarely said on its own.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

micronutrients calories macro lens macroeconomics →

Common pairings

count macros hit your macros track macros macro split macros and calories

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Test yourself on “macros” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He weighs his lunch so he can log his _____ accurately.

Etymology

A shortening of macronutrients, from Greek makros 'large, long' plus nutrient.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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macronutrients protein, carbs and fat scripts automations shortcuts

Antonyms

micros micronutrients

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between macros and calories?

Calories measure the energy in food as a single number. Macros describe where that energy comes from, splitting it into protein, carbohydrate and fat. Two meals can carry the same calories while having very different macros.

What is the difference between macros and micros?

Macros, or macronutrients, are the nutrients eaten in gram quantities that supply energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. Micros, or micronutrients, are vitamins and minerals, needed in far smaller amounts and supplying no energy. The distinction is one of quantity and function, not importance.

Is alcohol a macro?

Alcohol supplies energy but is not one of the three macronutrients, and most tracking tools list it separately or fold its energy into the carbohydrate line. Because the treatment varies between tools, totals for the same drink can differ.

What is the meaning of macros?

"macros" (noun (plural)) means the three types of nutrient that food supplies in large amounts and that provide energy: protein, carbohydrate and fat. People who count macros track how many grams of each they eat.