noun
microwave
MYK-roh-wayv
noun
1
An appliance that cooks or heats food quickly using electromagnetic radiation; also the type of radiation itself.
"Pop the leftovers in the microwave for two minutes."
verb
1
To cook or heat food using a microwave oven.
"He microwaved his lunch between meetings."
"Don't microwave anything with metal on it."
How to Use Microwave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe kitchen appliance that heats food fast using microwaves, and the verb for using it.
Common pairings
microwave dinner
microwave-safe
pop it in the microwave
Word Forms
microwaved past tense, microwaves singular
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Pop the leftovers in the _____ for two minutes.
Etymology
A compound of "micro-" (small) and "wave," referring to the short electromagnetic waves the oven uses to heat food.