Michael

American  

[mahy-kuhl] / ˈmaɪ kəl /

noun

1. (in the Abrahamic religions) a militant archangel.

2. Also called Michael I.  1921–2017, last king of Romania 1927–30, 1940–47 (son of Carol II).

3. (italics) a narrative poem (1800) by Wordsworth.

4. a male given name.

---

Michael British  

/ ˈmaɪkəl /

noun

1. 1596–1645, tsar of Russia (1613–45); founder of the Romanov dynasty

2. born 1921, king of Romania (1927–30, as part of a three-part regency; 1940–47), who relinquished the throne (1930–40) in favour of his father, Carol II. He led the coup d'état that overthrew (1944) Antonescu but was forced to abdicate (1947) by the Communists

3. Bible one of the archangels. Feast day: Sept 29 or Nov 8

---

Michael Cultural  

1. One of the most important angels, who was the guardian angel of the Jews (see also Jews) and the leader of the celestial armies in the Book of Revelation.

---

Discover More

Michael is often depicted with scales for weighing the souls of the dead on Judgment Day.

Etymology

Origin of Michael

From Late Latin Michahel, from Greek Michaḗl, from Hebrew Mīkhāʾēl “Who is like God?”; equivalent to mi “who?” + ka “like, as” + ʾēl “God”

Example Sentences

In years past, NBA stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant helped prop up Nike’s image as a premium basketball brand.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Daily Wire podcaster Michael Knowles gently asked Trump to “delete the picture, no matter the intent.”

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

“He was the face of mountain climbing for a generation,” said Michael Levy, editor and publisher of Summit Journal, and his exploits inspired new generations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and Michael Urbut, former member of the Rush University Board of Governors.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

She had on a yellow sundress that Michael had never seen before.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly