microwave

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

|Updated on: 12 Aug 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

Aluminum boats heat up like a microwave in the sun.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "How to beat the heat on your fishing trips in Idaho’s summer sun," 12 July 2018
Make crust: Heat topping and butter in a bowl in microwave on medium or in a saucepan over low heat until butter melts.

— woman's day kitchen, Woman's Day, "Peach Melba Ice Cream Pie," 1 Apr. 2012
Finish tacos: If desired, heat tortillas briefly in microwave.

— terri milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Keep your cool: No-heat cooking keeps you comfortable and the food fresh," 5 July 2018
Image The bright green potion cooked for eight minutes in the microwave.

— john peabody, New York Times, "A Growing Brooklyn Fishing Scene, Artisanal Lures Included," 28 June 2018
Heat butter in a large mug or small bowl for 30 seconds in microwave on high, just until melted.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Mac and cheese made with mayo and yogurt? Taste a tangy, creamy bite," 29 May 2018
Melt chocolate in microwave on 50 percent power in 30-second increments, stirring until fully melted.

— woman's day kitchen, Woman's Day, "Chocolate Meringue Layer Cake," 6 Mar. 2018
Using a microwave, or an outdoor grill, won’t heat up your kitchen.

— leah napoliello, Houston Chronicle, "BBB on Homes: Set your sights on summertime energy savings," 8 July 2018
When the bananas are frozen, melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 sec bursts at half power.

— Fox News, "Justin Warner is cooking with Post Dream Cereals," 30 June 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

microwaved; microwaving; microwaves

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

Fearing for the baby, the family microwaved some milk from the fridge, put it in a water bottle and attempted to feed the fragile elk.

— scott craven, azcentral, "Born of tragedy, newborn elk triumphs thanks to kindness of strangers," 12 July 2018
Dad and son each took our order, made a suggestion, and helpfully microwaved the pastries to warm them a bit.

— alex kiesig, idahostatesman, "'I love this city': Eat your way through the Capital City Public Market," 6 July 2018
In the researchers' case, the frequency difference between two colors corresponds to microwave radiation (in fact, radiation near the 5GHz Wi-Fi band).

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Laser-powered cell phone transmitters could be in your future," 9 May 2018
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

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

Learn More about microwave

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