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

Then the microwave entered ordinary life, just part of the background. —Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024

Tbs beaten egg Frosting if desired Take a microwave safe mug and grease well with either nonstick spray or butter. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024

Verb

Instead, store and microwave all foods in glass rather than plastic, don’t use nonstick pans for cooking and replace any plastic bottles and coffee makers with glass or stainless steel. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024

Don't microwave food in disposable containers; chemicals are more likely to leach out of packaging products into food when heated. —Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Sep. 2024

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