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Michael

American  
[mahy-kuhl] / ˈmaɪ kəl /

noun

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

  2. Also called Michael I1921–2017, 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald acknowledged the chaos unfolding outside his courtroom.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 2, 2026

Alas, “The Whisper Man” is merely a collection of defanged genre tropes and equally familiar character writing, tossing paltry scraps to its supporting cast in Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton.

From Salon Sep. 2, 2026

The new president, Michael Haynie, is addressing Syracuse’s challenges with unusual candor.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 2, 2026

Professor Michael Spagat from Royal Holloway, University of London, is the chair of Every Casualty Counts, a charity that studies death tolls in wars.

From BBC Sep. 2, 2026

When Michael and Gibby walked in, Beejee was leaning against the refrigerator, eating a slice of cold pizza.

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

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