microwave

[ mahy-kroh-weyv ]

noun

1. an electromagnetic wave of extremely high frequency, 1 GH 3 or more, and having wavelengths of from 1 millimeter to 30 centimeters.
2. microwave oven.

verb (used without object)

, mi·cro·waved, mi·cro·wav·ing.

1. to use a microwave oven.

verb (used with object)

, mi·cro·waved, mi·cro·wav·ing.

1. to cook, defrost, or otherwise prepare in a microwave oven.

microwave

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌweɪv /

noun

1. 1. electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 0.3 to 0.001 metres: used in radar, cooking, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      microwave generator

2. See microwave oven
   short for microwave oven

verb

1. to cook in a microwave oven

microwave

/ mī′krō-wāv′ /

1. An electromagnetic wave with a frequency in the range of 100 megahertz to 30 gigahertz (lower than infrared but higher than other radio waves). Microwaves are used in radar, radio transmission, cooking, and other applications. Microwaves are generated naturally by many astronomical phenomena and are found in cosmic background radiation .
2. See more at electromagnetic spectrum

Other Words From

• micro·wavea·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of microwave¹

First recorded in 1930–35; micro- + wave

Example Sentences

For tight muscles, pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds to get it nice and toasty.

From Popular-Science

This cooker’s capacity is enough to accommodate an entire whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza, making it a great space saver and a worthy opponent to any oven or microwave.

From Popular-Science

Heat in a shallow dish in the microwave on high for about 3 minutes or on the stove in a pan over low heat.

From Washington Post

She found it too troubling when she practiced reading with her daughter and noticed she could no longer read the word “microwave” like she once could.

From Washington Post

Melting down and remolding plastic is sort of like reheating pizza in the microwave — you get out basically what you put in, just not as good.

From Science News

Microwave "pain rays" and acoustic crowd dispersal weapons already exist.

From The Daily Beast

The Army suggests that laser, microwave or acoustic weapons are the answer.

From The Daily Beast

He told the cops about the “microwave machine” whose “vibrations” kept him from being able to sleep.

From The Daily Beast

He was on an assignment in Newport when he called the police to report the voices and the big microwave machine.

From The Daily Beast

After a redesign last year, the toy now heats up like a traditional oven and looks more like a microwave.

From The Daily Beast

The microwave -- which always reeked of popcorn and spilled soup -- was right in there, on top of the miniature fridge.

From Project Gutenberg

It's like a searchlight beam or a microwave beam, and it stays the same size like a pipe.

From Project Gutenberg

A tiny auto-beacon in its nose was set to send microwave signals at ten-second intervals.

From Project Gutenberg

This chitin diaphragm picks up the microwave like our ears pick up sound.

From Project Gutenberg

He used his microwave generator—which at short enough range would short-circuit anything—upon the apparatus in the kiosk.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bake
• zap