microwave

¹mi·cro·wave

noun, often attributive \-ˌwāv\

physics : a very short wave of electromagnetic energy

Full Definition of MICROWAVE

1

:  a comparatively short electromagnetic wave; especially :  one between about one millimeter and one meter in wavelength

2

:  microwave oven

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Examples of MICROWAVE

1. The apartment came with a microwave.

First Known Use of MICROWAVE

1931

Rhymes with MICROWAVE

alpha wave, architrave, autoclave, beta wave, biconcave, delta wave, finger wave, pressure wave, standing wave, tidal wave, transverse wave

²microwave

verb

: to cook or heat (food) in a microwave oven

Full Definition of MICROWAVE

transitive verb

:  to cook or heat in a microwave oven

— mi·cro·wav·able or mi·cro·wave·able \ˌmī-krə-ˈwā-və-bəl\ adjective

Examples of MICROWAVE

1. microwave a bowl of soup

First Known Use of MICROWAVE

1973

mi·cro·wave

noun , often attrib \-ˌwāv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MICROWAVE

: a comparatively short electromagnetic wave; especially : one between about 1 millimeter and 1 meter in wavelength

microwave

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is situated between radio waves and infrared radiation. Microwaves have wavelengths ranging from 30 cm to 1 mm, corresponding to frequencies from about 1 gigahertz (10⁹ Hz) to 1 terahertz (10¹² Hz). They are the principal carriers of television, telephone, and data transmissions between stations on Earth and between the Earth and satellites. Radar beams are short pulses of microwaves used to locate ships and planes, track weather systems, and determine the speeds of moving objects. Microwaves are absorbed by water and fat in foodstuffs and produce heat from the inside (see microwave oven). Materials such as glass and ceramics do not absorb microwaves, and metals reflect them. See also maser.