mike

[ mahyk ]

/ maɪk /

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noun

Also mic. Informal. microphone.

verb (used with object), miked, mik·ing.

Informal. to supply or amplify with one or more microphones; attach a microphone to: to mike a singer.

verb (used without object), miked, mik·ing.

Informal. to use or position a microphone: to mike properly when recording a singer.

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Idioms about mike

drop the mike, Informal. mic (def. 2).

Origin of mike

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening and respelling

Other definitions for mike (2 of 5)

mike²

[ mahyk ]

/ maɪk /

noun

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

Origin of mike

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

Other definitions for mike (3 of 5)

mike³

[ mahyk ]

/ maɪk /

British Slang.

noun

loafing; idling.

verb (used without object), miked, mik·ing.

to loaf.

Origin of mike

First recorded in 1815–25; origin uncertain

Other definitions for mike (4 of 5)

mike⁴

[ mahyk ]

/ maɪk /

noun

micrometer¹ (def. 2).

verb (used with object), miked, mik·ing.

to measure with a micrometer.

Origin of mike

⁴

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening and respelling of micrometer¹

Other definitions for mike (5 of 5)

Mike

[ mahyk ]

/ maɪk /

noun

a male given name, form of Michael.

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

How to use mike in a sentence

He’s going to take advantage of it, and the same thing with Mike.
In an entertaining spectacle, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. battle to a draw in Los Angeles|Gene Wang|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
Growing up, roaches roamed where he slept, Mike says to Ben.
‘Memorial’ is one of the best books of the year|Kathi Wolfe|November 27, 2020|Washington Blade
If this was a passing play and the Mike linebacker blitzes, it would help to identify who he is for protection purposes.
In modern defensive fronts, the names have been changed|Richard Johnson|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
Mike went in search of suppliers, using his construction experience to figure out what to build and where to get it.
After reimagining apartment storage, Bradyl bloomed|Thomas Heath|November 22, 2020|Washington Post

Since the day he came home from Tucson Medical Center in 1988, just shy of his first birthday, Mike has required round-the-clock assistance with just about every aspect of living.
People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.|by Amy Silverman for Arizona Daily Star, with data analysis by Alex Devoid, Arizona Daily Star|November 5, 2020|ProPublica
What are they miking all that row about—are they supposed to be torking, or what?
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, July 6, 1895|Various

British Dictionary definitions for mike (1 of 2)

mike

/ (maɪk) /

noun

informal short for microphone See also mike up

British Dictionary definitions for mike (2 of 2)

Mike

/ (maɪk) /

noun

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