microwave

1 of 2

noun

mi·​cro·​wave ˈmī-krō-ˌwāv 

often attributive

1

: a comparatively short electromagnetic wave

especially : one between about one millimeter and one meter in wavelength

2

: microwave oven

microwave

2 of 2

verb

microwaved; microwaving; microwaves

transitive verb

: to cook or heat in a microwave oven

microwavable adjective

or microwaveable

ˌmī-krō-ˈwā-və-bəl 

Examples of microwave in a Sentence

Noun

The apartment came with a microwave.

Verb

microwave a bowl of soup

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Old Electronics Items like alarm clocks and stereos in working condition are often fair game, but televisions and microwaves, for example, are not. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2025

Just pop it in the microwave for a delicious and filling dish in minutes. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

Verb

To turn it into a Buffalo chicken Cranch, add a couple of tablespoons of whole milk and half a cup of Buffalo sauce (preferably Frank’s Red Hot), then microwave the mixture for a couple of minutes. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025

When ready to consume, simply remove a wrap from the freezer, wrap it in a paper towel and microwave it for 2 minutes before toasting it in a toaster or in a pan to crisp up the lavash. —Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1973, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing microwave

• cosmic microwave background
• microwave oven

Kids Definition

microwave

1 of 2 noun

mi·​cro·​wave ˈmī-krō-ˌwāv 

1

: a radio wave between one millimeter and one meter in wavelength

2

: microwave oven

microwave

2 of 2 verb

: to cook or heat in a microwave oven

microwavable adjective

or microwaveable

ˌmī-krə-ˈwā-və-bəl 

Medical Definition

microwave

noun

mi·​cro·​wave -ˌwāv 

often attributive

: a comparatively short electromagnetic wave

especially : one between about 1 millimeter and 1 meter in wavelength