hike

[ hahyk ]

verb (used without object)

, hiked, hik·ing.

1. to walk or march a great distance, especially through rural areas, for pleasure, exercise, military training, or the like.

   Synonyms: backpack, trudge, trek, ramble, tramp

2. to move up or rise, as out of place or position (often followed by up ):

   My shirt hikes up if I don't wear a belt.

3. Nautical. to hold oneself outboard on the windward side of a heeling sailboat to reduce the amount of heel.

verb (used with object)

, hiked, hik·ing.

1. to move, draw, or raise with a jerk (often followed by up ):

   to hike up one's socks.

2. to increase, often sharply and unexpectedly:

   to hike the price of milk.

noun

1. a long walk or march for recreational activity, military training, or the like.
2. an increase or rise, often sharp and unexpected:

   a hike in wages.

hike

/ haɪk /

verb

1. intr to walk a long way, usually for pleasure or exercise, esp in the country
2. usually foll by up to pull or be pulled; hitch
3. tr to increase (a price)

noun

1. a long walk
2. a rise in prices, wages, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈhiker, noun

Other Words From

• hiker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hike¹

First recorded in 1800–10; perhaps dialectal variant of hitch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hike¹

C18: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take a hike, Slang. to go away because one's company is not desired.

More idioms and phrases containing hike

see take a hike .

Example Sentences

For the past few weeks, I’ve largely allowed air quality readings to dictate when I should walk my dog, and whether I can venture out for a hike or run.

From MIT Technology Review

Outside spoke to Anjos about her reasons for pursuing the AT FKT, the psychological benefits of being a distance runner, and the experience of attempting a high-speed thru hike during a pandemic summer.

From Outside Online

Hydration bladders come in many different sizes, so it’s important to judge how much water you’ll need for your hikes when choosing which bladder to bring.

From Popular-Science

If you’re bringing your salad on a hike, wedge a small ice pack next to it, especially if it’s a hot day.

From Outside Online

Before the pandemic, Main and Rose employees would get together in person a few times a year to do yoga or go on hikes together.

From Digiday

Until then, we will hike the stairs together, one carpeted step at a time.

From The Daily Beast

To break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.

From The Daily Beast

It was on a hike to the Grand Canyon at age 18 that Shattuck penned her first bucket list.

From The Daily Beast

Voters there also passed a hike in the state minimum wage, with 53 percent of the vote.

From The Daily Beast

Even Republicans who opposed a federal wage hike in this cycle were often supportive or silent about state and local increases.

From The Daily Beast

If your machine isn't busted, you hike right along, and maybe you'll beat the other chap yet.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll git out ole Lucretia Borgia an' hike fer the mountings immediate.

From Project Gutenberg

We don't know ourselves just how far we expect to hike this afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

"Another hike, and this time up the mountain," returned Paul.

From Project Gutenberg

But that was to be looked for, since this was their first real hike.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• backpack
• explore
• hoof it
• stroll
• tramp