English
macronation
From macro- (“large”) + nation (“a country; a sovereign state”).
first attested First attested on 26 November 1996 (see quotations) (as stated in the etymology)
The story
The micronational sense was likely formed as an antonym of micronation, which was derived from micro- (‘small’) + nation (‘country’). First attested on 26 November 1996 (see quotations).
Today it means
noun An internationally recognised country, as opposed to a micronation; a sovereign state, especially a member or observer state of the United Nations.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / macronation