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mike

1 American  
[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

  1. Informal. Also microphone.

verb (used with object)

miked, miking

  1. Informal. to supply or amplify with one or more microphones; attach a microphone to.

    to mike a singer.

verb (used without object)

miked, miking

  1. Informal. to use or position a microphone.

    to mike properly when recording a singer.

idioms

  1. drop the mike, mic.

mike 2 American  
[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

  1. a forklike support for a light cannon on a sailing ship.

mike 3 American  
[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

  1. loafing; idling.

verb (used without object)

miked, miking

  1. to loaf.

mike 4 American  
[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

  1. micrometer.

verb (used with object)

miked, miking

  1. to measure with a micrometer.

Mike 5 American  
[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

  1. a male given name, form of Michael.

  2. (lowercase) a word used in communications to represent the letter M.

Mike 1 British  
/ maɪk /

noun

  1. communications a code word for the letter m

"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
mike 2 British  
/ maɪk /

noun

  1. informal short for microphone See also mike up

"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

Etymology

Origin of mike1

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening and respelling

Origin of mike2

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; perhaps from Middle Dutch micke “forked support”; further origin uncertain

Origin of mike3

First recorded in 1815–25; origin uncertain

Origin of mike4

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening and respelling of micrometer 1

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.

When one performer delivered a few lines in a deafening shout, she said, “Remember ... if you are screaming, pull that mike away.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Cut the mike on that lyrical Irish accent and we will RIOT.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

“I never go out and look to grab the mike or go in front of the TV camera. When I go to work everyday, I check my ego at the door.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 27, 2023

Padres broadcasters Don Orsillo and Mark Grant, who had red mike flags with a white “B” for the May 30 game, switched to MLB logos the next day.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2023

The mike looked like a black ice cream cone before Jennifer’s face.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.