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
microwaved; microwaving; microwaves
: to cook or heat in a microwave oven
Examples of microwave in a Sentence
Noun
The apartment came with a microwave.
Verb
microwave a bowl of soup
Recent Examples on the Web
Yakir Levy, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
Plus, our writer has cooked many meals in her Anyday dishes in the microwave and oven with no issues.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
The Easy-Bake Oven was my first glimpse of what magic could come from a miniature box, leading to a few experiments with microwave cooking — think nachos and Rice Krispie Treat bowls—during my latchkey kid years.
—Casey Barber, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
On March 10, 2024—when most clocks across the country will advance one hour for daylight saving time—no one in that city will be scrambling to remember how to adjust the time on their microwaves or car dashboards.
—TIME, 9 Mar. 2024
When warming leftovers in the microwave, try using the 50% power setting.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
Reheat leftovers in a 300-degree F oven or in the microwave, until hot all the way through.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
If you are tempted by the microwave, heat in 10 second intervals until warm.
Ingredients
¾ cup semisweet chocolate pieces
¼ cup butter
⅔ cup sugar
1 5 ounce can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
Directions
In a small heavy saucepan melt the chocolate and butter over medium heat.
—Jan Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
The tiny homes are complete with a bed, sink, shower, refrigerator, oven and microwave.
—Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024
Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
There’s nothing wrong with microwaving a package of instant oatmeal with water and calling it a day, but there are so, so many ways to make this quick breakfast a zillion times better—without spending a ton of time to do it.
—Christine Byrne, Mph, Rd, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024
Her viral salmon bowl post followed the same formula; in her video, which was posted in August of 2021, the Bay Area native microwaved leftover salmon with white rice and an ice cube, then combined them with soy sauce, Kewpie mayonnaise and hot sauce to whip together a hearty lunch.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024
Jane’s meatloaf looked grumpy and tasted grumpy, even after Theo microwaved a coat of cheese on top.
—Addie Citchens, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
The lids are also microwave safe and have built-in lid vents to help prevent food splatters.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2024
Its grassy flavor is better with methods that concentrate the flavor – roasting, or pan-frying, even microwaving.
—Kathleen Purvis, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Fletcher embarks on a quest to get rid of Spider, trying to drown it, burn it, even microwave it.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024
Poke sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2024
Noun
Heat pasta with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in the microwave or in a saucepan.
—Yakir Levy, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
Plus, our writer has cooked many meals in her Anyday dishes in the microwave and oven with no issues.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
The Easy-Bake Oven was my first glimpse of what magic could come from a miniature box, leading to a few experiments with microwave cooking — think nachos and Rice Krispie Treat bowls—during my latchkey kid years.
—Casey Barber, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
On March 10, 2024—when most clocks across the country will advance one hour for daylight saving time—no one in that city will be scrambling to remember how to adjust the time on their microwaves or car dashboards.
—TIME, 9 Mar. 2024
When warming leftovers in the microwave, try using the 50% power setting.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
Reheat leftovers in a 300-degree F oven or in the microwave, until hot all the way through.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
If you are tempted by the microwave, heat in 10 second intervals until warm.
Ingredients
¾ cup semisweet chocolate pieces
¼ cup butter
⅔ cup sugar
1 5 ounce can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
Directions
In a small heavy saucepan melt the chocolate and butter over medium heat.
—Jan Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
The tiny homes are complete with a bed, sink, shower, refrigerator, oven and microwave.
—Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024
Verb
Microwave 101: How to microwave food properly https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/problem-solved/2022/08/04/microwave-tips-reheat-leftovers-cooking/10220411002/ How to easily remove odor from and clean a greasy microwave
Steam cleaning:
Great for general grime, food splatters and grease buildup.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
There’s nothing wrong with microwaving a package of instant oatmeal with water and calling it a day, but there are so, so many ways to make this quick breakfast a zillion times better—without spending a ton of time to do it.
—Christine Byrne, Mph, Rd, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024
Her viral salmon bowl post followed the same formula; in her video, which was posted in August of 2021, the Bay Area native microwaved leftover salmon with white rice and an ice cube, then combined them with soy sauce, Kewpie mayonnaise and hot sauce to whip together a hearty lunch.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024
Jane’s meatloaf looked grumpy and tasted grumpy, even after Theo microwaved a coat of cheese on top.
—Addie Citchens, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
The lids are also microwave safe and have built-in lid vents to help prevent food splatters.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2024
Its grassy flavor is better with methods that concentrate the flavor – roasting, or pan-frying, even microwaving.
—Kathleen Purvis, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Fletcher embarks on a quest to get rid of Spider, trying to drown it, burn it, even microwave it.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024
Poke sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microwave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near microwave
Cite this Entry
“Microwave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microwave. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
2 of 2 verb
: to cook or heat in a microwave oven
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
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