microwave

noun, often attributive mi·cro·wave \ -ˌwāv \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of microwave

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

2 : microwave oven

See microwave defined for English-language learners

See microwave defined for kids

Examples of microwave in a Sentence

The apartment came with a microwave.

Recent Examples of microwave from the Web

After that, whisk in one tablespoon of honey and microwave again for another 45 seconds.

— lyndsey matthews, Country Living, "This 'Bourbon Cough Syrup for Grown-Ups' Is Going to Be Your Favorite Cold Remedy This Winter," 27 Oct. 2017
Each suit also has a full kitchen with a dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, cookware, plates, cups and utensils.

— bob bong, Daily Southtown, "Comings & Goings: Kernel Sweetooth to close Frankfort location," 17 Oct. 2017
Keep the microwave in a low spot so items can easily be removed after heating, and widen clearances to allow space for a walker or crutches.

— rachel hartman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top 7 senior housing options to consider," 2 Oct. 2017
Many mobile-phone towers, especially in remote areas, use microwaves to communicate with other towers on the network.

— The Economist, "Counting raindrops using mobile-phone towers," 30 Sep. 2017
The place feels like home, with a refrigerator and microwave and TV of her own.

— laura bauer, kansascity, "Forced from an abusive home at 16, she knows what it’s like to be a homeless teenager," 23 Sep. 2017
But the oven works well, there’s a microwave and stovetop.

— sarah larimer, Washington Post, "A GW freshman brought her baking business to college. Small problem with that.," 20 Sep. 2017
Besides organic whole-grain rice, each bowl, which just needs to be heated, either in the microwave or oven, has at least two servings of vegetables and a healthy portion of plant protein.

— ellie krieger, chicagotribune.com, "New products make whole grains a whole lot easier," 13 Sep. 2017
One invention after another has been designed to make feeding ourselves faster and easier, from the automated mill to frozen food, the drive-through to the microwave.

— jane black and, WSJ, "The Problem With Meal Kits," 4 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'microwave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of microwave

1931

microwave

verb

Definition of microwave

transitive verb

: to cook or heat in a microwave oven

—

microwavable

or microwaveable play \ˌmī-krə-ˈwā-və-bəl\ adjective

See microwave defined for English-language learners

Examples of microwave in a Sentence

microwave a bowl of soup

Recent Examples of microwave from the Web

Frying, roasting, broiling and baking certain foods are more likely to create acrylamide, while steaming, boiling or microwaving are less likely to do so.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "California Coffee Companies Must Display Cancer Warning Label, Judge Rules," 30 Mar. 2018
Peeps — stale, fresh or never: Stale, but way more exciting when microwaved.

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "What's the ultimate 'adult' Easter basket? Your favorite Louisville chefs weigh in," 28 Mar. 2018
In Wyandotte County, at least one family was poisoned from eating meals microwaved on unsafe, handcrafted plates from Mexico.

— rick montgomery, kansascity, "It's been 40 years since lead paint was banned, so why are we still being poisoned? | The Kansas City Star," 23 Mar. 2018
Meanwhile, in small microwave-safe bowl, microwave half-and-half and butter on High 30 seconds or until butter has melted; squeeze roasted garlic cloves from skins into mixture.

— the good housekeeping test kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Cauliflower," 2 Nov. 2016
Stopping reflections The basic idea behind harvesting Wi-Fi radiation is a very old one: just construct a circuit that absorbs all that microwave energy.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Perfect Wi-Fi energy harvester gathers scant bounty," 15 Jan. 2018
If roux is not the dark brown color of pecan shells, continue microwaving for 10 seconds stirring, checking color until roux reaches desired color.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Easy etouffee recipe: On the table in 30 minutes or less," 9 Jan. 2018
The trickle-down effect of all the aggressiveness coming from team executives is that every general manager is now under pressure to microwave progress.

— kevin allen, USA TODAY, "Ron Francis lost GM title because NHL has run out of patience," 8 Mar. 2018
Cover the herbs with a second paper towel or clean dish towel, then microwave them on high power for 20 minutes.

— jonathan kendall, Vogue, "A Best Picture-Inspired Oscars Dinner Menu," 3 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of microwave

1973

MICROWAVE Defined for English Language Learners

microwave

noun

Definition of microwave for English Language Learners

physics : a very short wave of electromagnetic energy

microwave

verb

Definition of microwave for English Language Learners

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

MICROWAVE Defined for Kids

microwave

noun mi·cro·wave \ ˈmī-krō-ˌwāv \

Definition of microwave for Students

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

2 : microwave oven

microwave

verb

Definition of microwave for Students

microwaved; microwaving

: to cook or heat in a microwave oven

Medical Dictionary

microwave

noun, often attributive mi·cro·wave \ -ˌwāv \

medical Definition of microwave

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

Learn More about microwave

See words that rhyme with microwave Spanish Central: Translation of microwave Nglish: Translation of microwave for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of microwave for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about microwave

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up microwave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

microwave

Definition of microwave

Examples of microwave in a Sentence

Recent Examples of microwave from the Web

First Known Use of microwave

microwave

Definition of microwave

microwavable

Examples of microwave in a Sentence

Recent Examples of microwave from the Web

First Known Use of microwave

MICROWAVE Defined for English Language Learners

microwave

Definition of microwave for English Language Learners

microwave

Definition of microwave for English Language Learners

MICROWAVE Defined for Kids

microwave

Definition of microwave for Students

microwave

Definition of microwave for Students

Medical Dictionary

microwave

medical Definition of microwave

Learn More about microwave

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes