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

To make zip-top bags last longer, don't use them in the microwave or put them in the dishwasher. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

They were given frozen chicken sandwiches thawed by CBP officers in a microwave, but sometimes they were still partially frozen. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

Verb

For years, my daily morning coffee service consisted of microwaving a mug of water and stirring in a heaping spoon of instant coffee granules with a splash of cream. —Kayleigh Drake, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025

The durable stoneware pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe, too. —Lauren Taylor, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 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

Rhymes for microwave

• aftershave
• architrave
• autoclave
• misbehave
• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave

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