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

Child lock For those with children, make sure your Hamilton Beach microwave includes a child-lock feature. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Matter supports several major home appliance categories (and has done for a couple of years now); including ovens, cooktops, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and robotic vacuums. — Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Verb

In New York’s Floral Park, first responders issued a warning about the trend after two sisters, an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old, were left with second- and third-degree burns after microwaving the NeeDoh cubes. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Potatoes that have been boiled, baked, or microwaved have less resistant starch than those that have been cooked and then chilled (as in potato salad). — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 26 June 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