Microwave

/ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.weɪv/

Meaning & Definition

noun
an electrical appliance used for cooking or heating food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range.
She heated her leftovers in the microwave for lunch.
a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one millimeter to one meter.
Microwaves are used in various technologies, including radar and communications.
verb
to cook or heat food using a microwave oven.
I will microwave the popcorn for a quick snack.
to expose something to microwave radiation or to process it using microwaves.
They microwave the samples to speed up the reactions.

Etymology

From the prefix 'micro-' meaning small + 'wave', referring to the small wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation.

Common Phrases and Expressions

microwave-safe:
Containers that can withstand microwave radiation without melting or releasing harmful substances.
microwave cooking:
Cooking food using microwave radiation.
popcorn microwave bag:
A specially designed bag for cooking popcorn in a microwave.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Nuke it
Just nuke it for a minute to heat it up.
Zap
I’ll just zap this in the microwave for dinner.