microwave

1 of 2

noun

mi·​cro·​wave ˈmī-krō-ˌwāv How to pronounce microwave (audio)
Synonyms of microwavenext
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 How to pronounce microwave (audio)

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
Everyday actions generate billions of these nanoparticles, Yan noted, from washing a load of laundry to reheating a dish in the microwave. — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Sacramento County Health Inspectors gave a red placard to an Elk Grove cafe after finding 251 rodent droppings in the facility including below the warewashing area and on the shelf below the prep table next to the microwave. — Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
But to make your life easier, microwave the squash for 1 to 2 minutes. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 In a microwave-safe medium bowl, microwave the cream cheese for 5 to 10 seconds, just until it’s softened. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026 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

Phrases Containing microwave

Rhymes for microwave

See All Rhymes for microwave

Browse Nearby Words

microwavable
microwave
microwave background
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Microwave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microwave. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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 oven

microwave

2 of 2 verb
: to cook or heat in a microwave oven
microwavable adjective
or microwaveable
ˌmī-krə-ˈwā-və-bəl How to pronounce microwave (audio)

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

More from Merriam-Webster on microwave

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for microwave

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about microwave

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