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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

See Examples For:

mike Mike miked miking

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

“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

For his encore Joel rose from behind his piano and grabbed a mike on a stand to belt out “Uptown Girl” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” as his band cranked the guitars.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2023

Yet even with its flaws, the film, by bringing a character like Bri into the cadre of battle rap, is a welcome update to the male bravado types we’re used to seeing dominate the mike.

From New York Times ● Sep. 22, 2022

“Not great quality. The mike is in the camera. So that was nose down in the dirt too.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Games Workshop has revealed acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan has been recruited to work on its upcoming Warhammer 40,000 adaptations.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told NBC on Sunday that President Donald Trump is giving “some space” for peace talks.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

He’s sought investors in a variety of forums, including a webinar called “Discover the Investment Model Behind Our State-Funded Private Schools — with Mike Tyson.”

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

“Anyone who thinks they know how this deal ends should think again,” Forrester Research analyst Mike Proulx said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

But for some reason, Dozer and Petunia reminded him of Mike and Big Tony.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Given the size of the venue, Kaufmann was miked.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 27, 2023

During the bottom of the first, both Freeman and Betts were miked up, razzing each other between each pitch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2023

In a 2,500-seat auditorium, having a full string section play it is far more effective than a miked string quartet.

From New York Times ● Jan. 13, 2023

Not only are the actors miked, but each of the instruments is as well.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 29, 2022

Also, once the actors are miked, he doesn’t want Zach biting into an apple and having an audible crunch bounce off the auditorium walls.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

The singer is an emotionally extravagant Erika Stiedry-Wagner, who fought with the composer over miking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2020

Fliakos’s miking, gives his voice a slightly disembodied quality.

From New York Times ● Oct. 13, 2019

“There was no proscenium. I couldn’t do scene changes. There was no pit, so the band had to be up and visible. There was no point in miking, because the theatre was too small.”

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 17, 2018

Vocal standouts, despite that harsh miking, include soaring sopranos Jennifer Bromagen, Megan Chenovick and Rachel DeShon, all playing multiple roles.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 14, 2014

T'aint no good miking a fuss about it, yer know, guv'nor!

From Mr. Punch's Cockney Humour by Various