microwave

1 of 2

noun

mi·​cro·​wave ˈmī-krō-ˌwāv How to pronounce microwave (audio)
often attributive
1
: a comparatively short electromagnetic wave
especially : one between about one millimeter and one meter in wavelength
2

microwave

2 of 2

verb

microwaved; microwaving; microwaves

transitive verb

: to cook or heat in a microwave oven
microwavable adjective
or microwaveable

Examples of microwave in a Sentence

Noun The apartment came with a microwave. Verb microwave a bowl of soup
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Place a few pieces of orange peel in a bowl of water and microwave until boiling to steam clean the interior of the appliance. Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2025 The meals are mostly low-calorie and high protein, and just require heating in a microwave or on the stove, with some things like soups and smoothies requiring a blender or food processor. Molly Higgins, Wired News, 29 May 2025
Verb
Each meal comes in a plastic container and needs to be microwaved or heated for around three minutes. Molly Higgins, Wired News, 29 May 2025 In 2022, Homewood set the record for most expensive day lift ticket in the U.S.: $279 for a single-day ticket to a homestyle ski hill with antique chairlifts, a mid-mountain pit toilet, and on-hill dining that requires you to microwave the chili yourself. Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for microwave

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microwave was in 1931

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Cite this Entry

“Microwave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microwave. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

microwave

1 of 2 noun
mi·​cro·​wave ˈmī-krō-ˌwāv How to pronounce microwave (audio)
1
: a radio wave between one millimeter and one meter in wavelength
2

microwave

2 of 2 verb
: to cook or heat in a microwave oven
microwavable adjective
or microwaveable

Medical Definition

microwave

noun
mi·​cro·​wave -ˌwāv How to pronounce microwave (audio)
often attributive
: a comparatively short electromagnetic wave
especially : one between about 1 millimeter and 1 meter in wavelength
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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