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

Store cooked chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 4 months; thaw safely in the fridge, cold water, or microwave. — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026

Mini fridges, microwaves and hot plates often have wattage or size limits. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The toys may also pose burn hazards, with the possibility of reaching dangerously high temperatures if subjected to high heat, as seen in viral social media trends encouraging children to microwave the toys, the agency said. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Apparently, microwaving your tea is a tea-making method that stirs up some heated opinions, although some people still swear by heating water for tea in the microwave. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 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