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)

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

/ 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

verb

1. to cook in a microwave oven

microwave

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 Word Forms

• microwaveable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of microwave¹

First recorded in 1930–35; micro- + wave

Example Sentences

“When I got out of it, it was like selling a child,” he told Arellano, adding: “That burrito of ours? You can just put it in the microwave, and it came out perfect.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Enjoy these pies straight out of the box or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.

Read more on Salon

Citing the example of someone reading the label of a microwave ready meal so they know the ingredients, she says: "We need that for music, and we need that for AI."

Read more on BBC

Trimble is accused of going to a vault where evidence is stored and heating his blood sample in a microwave.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot was taken to hospital after an egg he was microwaving exploded in his face.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bake 
• zap