ENGLISH
REFERENCE

microwave

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈmaɪkɹəˌweɪv// UK //mˈaɪkɹəʊwˌeɪv// mi·crowave Slang

n. a kitchen machine that uses radio waves to heat or cook food very quickly. You use it when you want to warm up leftovers or make a quick snack.

n. an appliance that cooks or heats food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. This process induces dielectric heating in water and other polarized molecules within the food.


SIMPLE

I heat my soup in the microwave for two minutes.

CONTEXTUAL

The office kitchen has a microwave so employees can heat their lunches during the break.

COMPLEX

While convenient for reheating, the microwave often fails to produce the Maillard reaction necessary for the browning and crisping associated with traditional oven roasting.

Synonyms
Origin

From micro- + wave.

Usage

Often used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'microwave oven' or 'microwave meal'.

© 2026 English Reference