Infrared vs. Microwave — What's the Difference?

Infrared (IR), sometimes called infrared light, is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than those of visible light. It is therefore invisible to the human eye.

Microwave is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter corresponding to frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz respectively. Different sources define different frequency ranges as microwaves; the above broad definition includes both UHF and EHF (millimeter wave) bands.

Of or relating to electromagnetic radiation between microwaves and red visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum, having frequencies between 300 gigahertz and 400 terahertz and wavelengths between 1 millimeter and 750 nanometers.

An electromagnetic wave with a wavelength in the range 0.001–0.3 m, shorter than that of a normal radio wave but longer than those of infrared radiation. Microwaves are used in radar, in communications, and for heating in microwave ovens and in various industrial processes

Generating, using, or sensitive to infrared radiation.

Cook (food) in a microwave oven

Infrared light or the infrared part of the spectrum.

Relating to or being electromagnetic radiation between radio waves and infrared waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, having frequencies between 300 megahertz and 300 gigahertz and wavelengths between 1 meter and 1 millimeter.

(uncountable) The electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation, having a wavelength between 700 nm and 1 mm.

A wave of microwave radiation.

(countable) A specific wavelength in this range.

A microwave oven.

(countable) A device that emits infrared radiation.

To cook or heat (food) in a microwave oven.

Having a wavelength in the infrared spectrum.

An electromagnetic wave with wavelength between that of infrared light and radio waves.

Lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; - said of rays having a longer wavelength (and thus less refrangible) than the extreme red rays, specifically those electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of between 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter.

Ellipsis of microwave oven

Relating to, using, or producing infrared radiation.

(transitive) To cook (something) in a microwave oven.

Affected by infrared radiation; as, infrared detector; infrared film.

To provide minimal preparation for implementation, deeming full or extensive preparation as unnecessary.

The infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum; electromagnetic wave frequencies below the visible range;

A short electromagnetic wave (longer than infrared but shorter than radio waves); used for radar and microwave ovens and for transmitting telephone, facsimile, video and data

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves

Kitchen appliance that cooks food by passing an electromagnetic wave through it; heat is produced by the absorption of microwave energy by the water molecules in the food

Having or employing wavelengths longer than light but shorter than radio waves; lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end;

Cook or heat in a microwave oven;