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.

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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

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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.

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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

The seemingly endless stands have witnessed electric performances by Pele and Carlos Alberto, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Mandatory convertible preferred stock “is effectively yield-enhanced common stock,” says Michael Youngworth, head of global convertibles research at BofA Securities.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

King, who scored one point during the game, quipped afterward, “I’ll always remember this as the night that Michael Jordan and I combined to score 70 points.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Prof Michael Papadakis, cardiology expert at St George's, University of London, calls the device a "shock box".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Michael watched Beejee stop between buildings to rifle through the pockets of the cargo shorts.

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