# microwave

/ˈmaɪkɹəˌweɪv/ (US) · /mˈaɪkɹəʊwˌeɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/microwave
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. kitchen appliance

noun · CEFR A2

a kitchen machine that uses waves of energy to heat or cook food very quickly.

For teachers: a household appliance, formally known as a microwave oven, that heats food by passing microwave radiation through it.

- I'll just heat up the leftover pasta in the microwave for two minutes.
- The modern kitchen is rarely without a microwave, as it provides an efficient method for defrosting ingredients and reheating pre-prepared meals.

### 2. energy wave

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a type of invisible wave used for cooking and sending information.

For teachers: an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between that of infrared light and radio waves.

- Microwaves are used not just for cooking, but also for satellite communications.
- The researcher explained how microwaves interact with water molecules to generate heat through a process called molecular friction.

### 3. to cook

verb · CEFR A2

to cook or heat food using a microwave oven.

For teachers: to cook, heat, or defrost food items specifically within a microwave oven. Transitive use requiring a direct object.

- If you are in a hurry, you can microwave the potato instead of baking it.
- While some chefs prefer traditional methods, many find that microwaving certain vegetables preserves more nutrients than boiling them in water.

### 4. to prepare quickly

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to prepare something very quickly without doing much work.

For teachers: to provide minimal preparation for a project or task, treating thorough preparation as unnecessary. Often used metaphorically in professional contexts.

- We didn't have a plan, so we just had to microwave the presentation.
- The team was criticized for microwaving the strategy rather than conducting the deep market research required for such a high-stakes launch.

## Examples

- I heat my soup in the microwave for two minutes.
- The office kitchen has a microwave so employees can heat their lunches during the break.
- While convenient for reheating, the microwave often fails to produce the Maillard reaction necessary for the browning and crisping associated with traditional oven roasting.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.