microcosm
noun
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Small wonder that the oldest meaning of microcosm in our dictionary is “little world”: the word comes ultimately from the Greek phrase mikros kosmos, meaning “little universe.” That meaning can be applied to many a wee realm, as in “the microcosm of the atom,” but microcosm was originally used by medieval scholars specifically to refer to humans as miniature embodiments of the natural universe. Microcosm soon expanded to refer to places (such as neighborhoods or other communities) thought to embody at a small scale characteristics of larger places, and later to anything serving as an apt representation of something bigger—as when Arthur C. Clarke, famed author of much fiction and nonfiction set in the cosmos, noted that “a sunken ship is a microcosm of the civilization that launched it.”
Examples of microcosm in a Sentence
Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2024
Wolle and her creative team wanted to depict the space as a microcosm of cultural transference, a sacred space that resists the chaos of change.
—Essence, 16 Sep. 2024
From art galleries to regional theatre to fresh Florida dining, Winter Garden is a microcosm of rich culture and old Florida charm.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2024
The market felt like a microcosm of the city—vibrant, diverse, and full of flavor.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for microcosm 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microcosm.' 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 microcosm
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“Microcosm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microcosm. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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microcosm
noun
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