microwave

American  

[mahy-kroh-weyv] / ˈmaɪ kroʊˌweɪv /

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.

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verb (used without object)

microwaved, microwaving

1. to use a microwave oven.

verb (used with object)

microwaved, microwaving

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

microwave British  

/ 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. short for microwave oven

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verb

1. to cook in a microwave oven

microwave Scientific  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• microwaveable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of microwave

First recorded in 1930–35; micro- + wave

Explanation

A microwave is a small oven that cooks or heats food very quickly. Instead of the electric or gas heat that a regular oven uses, a microwave heats with electromagnetic radiation. While the heat of a regular oven (or a small toaster oven) surrounds your food and cooks it from the outside, with the heat working its way in, a microwave's radiation cooks most food from the inside out. Its radiation, or waves, penetrate the food and heat up any moisture inside it. These waves are themselves called microwaves because they're short (and micro- means "small"), similar to radio waves.

Example Sentences

“We’re doing it with our own. You can’t microwave that overnight.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

"I searched it and saw videos of kids and adults showing 'how fun it is' to put the toys in the microwave to make them more elastic," she said.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Today, almost all U.S. households have at least one microwave, according to the most recent federal data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Takhar and doctoral student Yash Shah outlined their findings in two recent studies focused on how microwave frying changes what happens inside French fries during cooking.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

I cover the potatoes with plastic wrap and heat them in the microwave.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Related Words

• bake
• zap