microwave

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

That means blocking out light, radio waves, microwaves, magnetic fields, and thermal temperature differences.

— rhett allain, WIRED, "The Physics of a Puzzling Perpetual Motion Machine," 12 June 2018
The smaller unit, called Studio 160, includes a kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, upper and lower cabinets, stove, oven, fridge and even a pantry.

— megan barber, Curbed, "160-square-foot shipping container house asks $55K," 11 June 2018
The kitchen also offers a stainless-steel Viking oven and microwave, a six-burner AGA freestanding gas range and built-in GE Monogram French door refrigerator/freezer, plus additional freezer drawers.

— lisa zapalac, Houston Chronicle, "Bellaire showcase home is open today, May 27," 27 May 2018
For cooking, there are dual Wolf wall ovens, a six-burner Wolf cooktop with griddle, two dishwashers, two microwaves, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, two Sub-Zero freezer drawers and a warming drawer.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Hollywood Video founder's unfinished riverfront mansion to be auctioned (photos)," 22 May 2018
But fires can also start because of the dishwasher, microwave, or toaster.

— michael walsh, Courant Community, "Interim Chief Wants Residents To Be Prepared In Case Of Fire," 15 May 2018
Researchers have found an inexpensive way to turn walls into giant touch screens that can also sense what a person is doing nearby and when the TV, microwave, or computer are turned on and off.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Watch researchers turn a wall into Alexa’s eyes and ears," 27 Apr. 2018
GE Appliances offers a line of fingerprint-resistant and smudge-proof black stainless steel ranges, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and more to keep your kitchen looking immaculate. 3.

— amanda smith, ELLE Decor, "16 Accents and Finishes for a Timeless Kitchen," 17 Apr. 2018
This week, Europe's electric transmission lobby announced that oven, microwave, and alarm clocks across the continent were no longer six minutes slow.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "European grid dispute resolved, lost 6 minutes returned to oven clocks," 8 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Continue microwaving in 30-second increments, stirring in between, or until chocolate is melted.

— susan selasky, charlotteobserver, "Make your own chocolate bowls for Valentine’s Day," 13 Feb. 2018
After thawing, they can be heated on a hot pan for best results, or microwaved.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Product spotlight: vegan tortillas from Potapas," 9 May 2018
The 5 Dirtiest Things You Touch Every Day The next most effective method was microwaving.

— alice park, Time, "You Should Throw Away Your Germy Kitchen Sponge Immediately. Here’s How to Wash Your Dishes Instead," 27 Apr. 2018
As BuzzFeed reports, this unconventional method works by immersing your Beautyblender in a cup of soapy water and microwaving for one minute.

— marissa miller, Teen Vogue, "How to Clean Beautyblenders Using a Microwave," 28 Mar. 2018
Cooking and eating from the same vessel means one less thing to wash—and isn't microwaving all about laziness, anyway?

— alyse whitney, Bon Appetit, "These Life-Proof Containers Have Kept My Microwave Clean for 3 Years," 31 Jan. 2018
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

First Known Use of microwave

1973

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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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

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