microwave
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a kitchen machine that uses waves of energy to heat or cook food very quickly.
n.a household appliance, formally known as a microwave oven, that heats food by passing microwave radiation through it.
Simple“I'll just heat up the leftover pasta in the microwave for two minutes.”
In context“The modern kitchen is rarely without a microwave, as it provides an efficient method for defrosting ingredients and reheating pre-prepared meals.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a type of invisible wave used for cooking and sending information.
n.an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between that of infrared light and radio waves.
Simple“Microwaves are used not just for cooking, but also for satellite communications.”
In context“The researcher explained how microwaves interact with water molecules to generate heat through a process called molecular friction.”
Synonymselectromagnetic wave - 03 A2 Elementary
v.to cook or heat food using a microwave oven.
v.to cook, heat, or defrost food items specifically within a microwave oven. Transitive use requiring a direct object.
Simple“If you are in a hurry, you can microwave the potato instead of baking it.”
In context“While some chefs prefer traditional methods, many find that microwaving certain vegetables preserves more nutrients than boiling them in water.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to prepare something very quickly without doing much work.
v.to provide minimal preparation for a project or task, treating thorough preparation as unnecessary. Often used metaphorically in professional contexts.
Simple“We didn't have a plan, so we just had to microwave the presentation.”
In context“The team was criticized for microwaving the strategy rather than conducting the deep market research required for such a high-stakes launch.”
Usage microwave background
From micro- + wave.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.