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• mike
  mike

  noun

  Also microphone.
• Mike
  Mike

  noun

  a male given name, form of Michael.

mike

¹ American  

[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

1. Informal. Also microphone.

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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.

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mike ³ American  

[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

1. loafing; idling.

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verb (used without object)

miked, miking

1. to loaf.

mike ⁴ American  

[mahyk] / maɪk /

noun

1. micrometer.

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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.

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Mike ¹ British  

/ maɪk /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter m

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mike ² British  

/ maɪk /

noun

1. informal short for microphone See also mike up

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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

“We knew the best landlord we could possibly have would be ourselves,” said Capital Group Chief Executive Mike Gitlin when the sale was first announced in April.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

He sees the transition differently: “We see it more as Mike wanting to get back into the banking world, and expect Fiserv to return to a highly recurring mid-single-digit growth business in coming quarters.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 15, 2026

On Sunday the Stormont health minister, Mike Nesbitt, said the violence that erupted last week was a "stain on Northern Ireland's reputation, locally, nationally and internationally".

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

Mike Madowitz, principal economist at the Roosevelt Institute, made a similar claim in an emailed statement.

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2026

The motor sprang to life with a grand purr, and Mike and Opoku cheered.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo