Letters and spelling

Words that start with micro

This list is for students learning the Greek prefix micro, meaning very small. It gathers words from biology, technology, and everyday speech so learners can see how a single prefix describes tiny scales, from microorganisms too small to see to microwaves used in every kitchen.

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Words that start with micro

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
microscopenoun	An instrument used to view objects that are too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye.	Students examined the cell sample closely under a microscope during the biology lab.
microphonenoun	A device that converts sound into an electrical signal, used for recording or amplifying voice or sound.	She tapped the microphone gently to check it was working before her speech.
microwavenoun	A kitchen appliance that cooks or heats food quickly using electromagnetic radiation.	He reheated last night's leftover dinner in the microwave for two minutes.
microorganismnoun	A living organism too small to be seen without a microscope, such as bacteria or fungi.	Yogurt is made by allowing beneficial microorganisms to slowly ferment fresh milk.
microchipnoun	A small piece of silicon containing an electronic circuit, used to control devices and store data.	A tiny microchip inside the card stores all of the passenger's payment information.
microbenoun	A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium or virus, that can sometimes cause disease.	Washing your hands thoroughly removes many of the microbes that spread illness.
microbiologynoun	The scientific study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.	She earned a degree in microbiology before joining a vaccine research laboratory.
microclimatenoun	The climate of a small, specific area that differs from the climate of the surrounding region.	The sheltered valley's microclimate keeps it noticeably warmer than the hills just above it.
microeconomicsnoun	The branch of economics concerned with the behavior of individual consumers, households, and firms.	In microeconomics class, they analyzed how price changes affect overall consumer demand.
microfibernoun	A very fine synthetic fiber, or fabric made from it, often used for cleaning cloths and clothing.	She wiped the smudged screen clean with a soft microfiber cloth.
microfilmnoun	A strip of film containing greatly reduced photographic images of documents, used for storage.	The librarian retrieved the decades-old newspaper article from a roll of microfilm.
micromanageverb	To control or oversee every small detail of someone's work, often excessively.	The new supervisor tends to micromanage even the simplest daily tasks.
microprocessornoun	An integrated circuit that contains a computer's central processing functions on a single chip.	A faster microprocessor allowed the new laptop to run its programs more smoothly.
microscopicadjective	So small that it can only be seen clearly with the help of a microscope.	A microscopic crack in the pipe eventually caused it to leak badly.
microsurgerynoun	Surgery performed on very small structures using a microscope and specialized precision instruments.	Doctors performed delicate microsurgery to reattach the patient's severed finger.
microwavableadjective	Suitable for cooking or heating safely inside a microwave oven.	She grabbed a microwavable meal to heat up quickly before her shift.
microplasticnoun	A tiny fragment of plastic, typically less than five millimeters across, found in the environment.	Researchers found troubling amounts of microplastics in samples of deep ocean water.
microloannoun	A very small loan, typically given to entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional banking.	A microloan of two hundred dollars helped her start a small tailoring business.
microburstnoun	A sudden, powerful downdraft of wind from a thunderstorm that spreads out on hitting the ground.	A microburst snapped several large trees along the highway during the storm.
microbrewerynoun	A small brewery that produces limited quantities of beer, often with distinctive flavors.	The town's microbrewery released a new seasonal ale just last week.
microdosenoun	A very small dose of a drug, taken to produce subtle effects without strong intoxication.	Some people take a microdose of the supplement to improve focus at work.
microgramnoun	A unit of mass equal to one millionth of a gram.	The vitamin label lists its dose in micrograms rather than milligrams.
micrometernoun	A precision instrument used to measure very small distances or thicknesses.	The machinist used a micrometer to check the exact diameter of the bolt.
microplanenoun	A handheld grater with sharp, fine teeth, used to zest citrus or finely grate hard foods.	She used a microplane to zest the lemon over the finished pasta dish.

Frequently asked questions

What does the prefix micro mean?

Micro comes from Greek and means very small, as seen in words like microscope and microorganism.