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

Each of these modules uses power semiconductors to generate microwave radar signals. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026

Plug-in panels cost much less and generate enough electricity to power a refrigerator or microwave. —Jeff Brady, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026

Verb

One trend involved microwaving a toy that burst and left severe burns on a 9-year-old's face. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026

The players have not been good enough and the Bengals’ personnel department, led by de facto GM Duke Tobin, finds itself back at this juncture needing to microwave the defense in free agency. —Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

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