microwave Hear it!

microwave Definition

micro·wave (mī′krō wāv′)

adjective

  1. designating or of that part of the electromagnetic spectrum associated with the larger infrared waves and the shorter radio waves: used for radar, communications, etc. and generally regarded as from 300,000 to 300 megahertz
  2. designating an oven that cooks quickly by causing microwaves to penetrate the food, generating internal heat
  3. designed, packaged, etc. for cooking in a microwave oven microwave cookware, microwave popcorn

transitive verb -·waved′, -·wav′·ing

to cook in a microwave oven

noun

  1. any electromagnetic wave of microwave frequency
  2. a microwave oven

microwave Related Forms

mi′cro·wave′·able adjective or mi′cro·wav′·able

microwave Telecom Definition

A form of radio transmission that uses ultra-high frequencies, developed out of experiments with radar (radio detecting and ranging) during the period preceding World War II. Developed by Harald T. Friis and his associates at AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories, microwave systems are point-to-point radio systems operating in the GigaHertz (GHz) frequency range. The wavelength is in the millimeter range, which is to say that each electromagnetic cycle or waveform is in the range of a millimeter, which gives rise to the term microwave. As such high-frequency signals are especially susceptible to attenuation due to interaction with the physical matter in the atmosphere, terrestrial microwave radio beams must be tightly focused and must be amplified or repeated frequently. Microwave is a Line-of-Sight (LOS) technology as such high-frequency radio waves will not pass through solid objects of any significance. See also frequency, frequency spectrum, Friis, LOS, point-to-point, radar, radio, and wavelength.

microwave Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • pulse: The defrost setting just pulses the microwaves on and off to allow time for these bursts of cooking to even out.
  • shower: The Moriston lodges have two bedrooms, one double and one twin and have a shower, microwave & DVD/video.

Adjective modifier

  • infrared: Because of their long wavelengths, compared to the visible and infrared, microwaves have special properties that are important for remote sensing.
  • passive: Passive microwave sensing is similar in concept to thermal remote sensing.
  • amateur: Unanimous support was shown for the UK Microwave Group becoming the voice of amateur microwaves in this country.

Modifies a noun

  • oven: Simply heat in a microwave oven for two minutes or leave to warm on a radiator or water heater.
  • dishwasher: Amenities/Facilities provided hob oven fridge/freezer microwave dishwasher washing machine iron/ironing board tv room fans barbecue shared pool Outside The apartment has 3 terraces.
  • radiation: Trying to get info on health effects from microwave radiation.
  • popcorn: Here is a new type of gourmet microwave popcorn that we want you to be the first to try!
  • sterilizer: Sterilizers Should I use sterilizing tablets with my microwave sterilizer?
  • cooker: This microwave pressure cooker allows you to cook meals in your microwave in minutes.. .

Noun used with modifier

  • fridge/freezer: Amenities/Facilities provided hob fridge/freezer fridge microwave washing machine satellite tv cot high chair barbecue Outside A natural country garden.
  • hob: Amenities/Facilities provided hob fridge/freezer fridge microwave washing machine satellite tv cot high chair barbecue Outside A natural country garden.
  • oven: Amenities/Facilities provided oven fridge microwave washing machine iron/ironing board cable tv tv barbecue Outside Private parking space.
  • point-to-point: Point-to-point microwave radio solutions from Alcatel offer the high reliability that service providers are entitled to demand, with more than 99.999 % availability.
  • combi: Elegant fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and combi microwave, electric kettle and toaster.
  • fridge: Amenities/Facilities provided hob fridge/freezer fridge microwave washing machine satellite tv cot high chair barbecue Outside A natural country garden.

Preposition: in

kitchen: The bursar says that the microwaves in the kitchens are supposed to be adequate.

Preposition: with

grill: Currently the three main types of microwaves are the standard microwave oven, the microwave with a grill and the combination microwave oven.

Preposition: for

minute: Cook in microwave for 3½ minutes, leave to stand for 2 minutes then turn out.