microwave

microwave — noun

IPA/ˈmaɪkrəweɪv/
KK[mˈaɪkrəwˌev]IPA/ˈmaɪkrəweɪv/
  • microwavesingular
  • microwavesplural

1. a countertop appliance that quickly warms up or cooks food by directing electrom

1.nounA2
Definition

a countertop appliance that quickly warms up or cooks food by directing electromagnetic radiation at it

Example

Vinícius reheated his lunch in the microwave for two minutes.

reheat + in the microwave

The new microwave has a sensor that stops cooking when the food is ready.

Common collocations
  • in the microwave
  • microwave button
  • microwave setting
  • reheat in the microwave
Synonyms
  • microwave oven

    the full, slightly more formal name for the same appliance

  • oven

    a broader term that includes conventional gas and electric ovens, which cook differently

  • toaster oven

    a smaller countertop appliance that uses radiant heat rather than microwaves, good for browning

Common Mistakes

Put it in the micro wave.
Put it in the microwave.
'microwave' is one word, not two.

2. a form of electromagnetic energy whose wavelength sits between infrared light an

2.nounB2
Definition

a form of electromagnetic energy whose wavelength sits between infrared light and radio waves, applied in cooking, radar, and wireless communication

Example

Microwaves can pass through glass and plastic but are reflected by metal surfaces.

pass through / reflected by metal

Scientists use microwaves to communicate with satellites orbiting the Earth.

Common collocations
  • emit microwaves
  • microwave radiation
  • microwave frequency
  • microwave signal
Synonyms
  • radio wave

    a longer wavelength form of electromagnetic radiation; microwaves sit between radio and infrared

  • radiation

    a broader category that includes all electromagnetic energy, not just microwaves

  • ultra-high frequency wave

    a technical synonym used in engineering, referring to the specific frequency range

Usage Note

This sense is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts. The plural form 'microwaves' is very common when referring to radiation in general.

Common Mistakes

Microwave radiation are harmful.
Microwave radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
'radiation' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

microwave — verb

IPA/ˈmaɪ.krə.weɪv/
KK[mˈaɪkrəwˌev]IPA/ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.weɪv/

Word family

  • microwavable
    adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'microwave' (or 'microwave oven') uses electromagnetic waves to heat food very quickly by exciting water molecules, making it ideal for reheating leftovers and defrosting. A conventional 'oven' uses surrounding hot air to cook food from the outside in, which takes longer but can brown and crisp surfaces. A 'toaster oven' is a small electric oven that uses radiant heat, useful for small batches of toast or roasted vegetables. An 'air fryer' circulates very hot air at high speed to produce a crispy texture similar to deep frying but with less oil. For quick reheating, a microwave is the fastest choice; for browning or baking, an oven or toaster oven works better.

microwave ↗oven ↗toaster ovenair fryer ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • microwave safe
  • microwave on high
  • microwave for X minutes

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekEnglish

The word 'microwave' combines 'micro-' (from Greek μικρός / mikros, meaning 'small') with 'wave' (from Old English wafian, 'to move back and forth'). The term was coined in the early 1930s by telecommunications engineers to describe very short radio waves. The kitchen appliance sense appeared in the 1970s after the invention of the microwave oven, which uses those same short waves to heat food. The verb form followed naturally as the appliance became common in households.