microwave
MYK-roh-wayv
Microwave (noun) means an appliance that cooks or heats food quickly using electromagnetic radiation; also the type of radiation itself. Example: “Pop the leftovers in the microwave for two minutes.”
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."
"The microwave beeped to tell us the soup was ready."
"We bought a small microwave for the office kitchen."
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."
"I will microwave the soup while you set the table."
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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- microwaves
- Past tense
- microwaved
Fill the gap
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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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for microwave
See all rhymes for microwave →Frequently asked questions
What does “microwave” mean?
The word “microwave” means an appliance that cooks or heats food quickly using electromagnetic radiation; also the type of radiation itself. In plain terms, the kitchen appliance that heats food fast using microwaves, and the verb for using it.
How do you pronounce “microwave”?
“Microwave” is pronounced MYK-roh-wayv (/ˈmaɪkɹoʊˌweɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “microwave” in a sentence?
Here is “microwave” used in a sentence: “Pop the leftovers in the microwave for two minutes.”
What part of speech is “microwave”?
Depending on how it is used, “microwave” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “microwave” a common word?
“Microwave” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “microwave” have?
“Microwave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an appliance that cooks or heats food quickly using electromagnetic radiation; also the type of radiation itself.
What is the difference between a microwave and an oven?
A microwave cooks or heats food quickly using electromagnetic radiation that excites water molecules within the food, while a conventional oven heats food more slowly using surrounding hot air. This makes microwaves faster for reheating but generally less effective for browning or crisping food.
Can the word microwave be used as a verb?
Yes, microwave functions as both a noun and a verb: as a noun it refers to the appliance or the radiation itself, and as a verb it means to cook or heat food using that appliance, as in "microwave the leftovers".
What does microwave mean besides the appliance?
Besides referring to the kitchen appliance, microwave also refers to the type of electromagnetic radiation the appliance uses to heat food. This radiation sense is the more technical or scientific meaning of the word.
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