Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A microwave tube in which electrons generated from a heated cathode are affected by magnetic and electric fields in such a way as to produce microwave radiation used in radar and in microwave ovens.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun a diode vacuum tube in which the flow of electrons from a central cathode to a cylindrical anode is controlled by crossed magnetic and electric fields; used mainly in microwave oscillators.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun physics a device in which electrons are made to resonate in a specially shaped chamber and thus produce microwave radiation; used in radar, and in microwave ovens

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a diode vacuum tube in which the flow of electrons from a central cathode to a cylindrical anode is controlled by crossed magnetic and electric fields; used mainly in microwave oscillators

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[magne(t) + –tron.]

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Examples

  • The device consists of the magnetron from a 600-watt domestic microwave oven and concentrates its power into a volume of just one cubic centimetre.

    Boing Boing: February 5, 2006 - February 11, 2006 Archives 2006

  • Inside a microwave oven, a device known as a magnetron converts electrical power into short radio waves, which are absorbed by water, fats and sugars found in food, heating them up.

    The Microwave Wants Some Respect Anjali Athavaley 2010

  • Inside a microwave oven, a device known as a magnetron converts electrical power into short radio waves, which are absorbed by water, fats and sugars found in food, heating them up.

    The Microwave Wants Some Respect Anjali Athavaley 2010

  • Inside a microwave oven, a device known as a magnetron converts electrical power into short radio waves, which are absorbed by water, fats and sugars found in food, heating them up.

    The Microwave Wants Some Respect Anjali Athavaley 2010

  • There were also components from a microwave oven labelled magnetron.

    CBC | Top Stories News 2011

  • A vital component of military radar systems since World War II, a magnetron is a kind of vacuum tube that serves as the frequency source in microwave ovens, radar systems, and other high-power microwave circuits.

    Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense 2010

  • A vital component of military radar systems since World War II, a magnetron is a kind of vacuum tube that serves as the frequency source in microwave ovens, radar systems, and other high-power microwave circuits.

    Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense 2010

  • A magnetron is a type of vacuum tube used as the frequency source in microwave ovens, radar systems and other high-power microwave circuits.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 2009

  • Cook is working with Eaton Corporation, a leading manufacturer of fluid power equipment, using another, more commercial-scale technique known as magnetron sputtering to lay down a wear-resistant coating.

    Museum Blogs 2008

  • What proved to be a key component for operating radar was a device of complex geometry called the cavity magnetron, which converted electrical current into microwaves.

    Allied in the Quest for Radar Henry Petroski 2011

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