mike

¹

[ mahyk ]

noun

1. Also Informal. microphone.

verb (used with object)

, miked, mik·ing.

1. 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.

1. Informal. to use or position a microphone:

   to mike properly when recording a singer.

mike

²

[ mahyk ]

noun

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

mike

³

[ mahyk ]

noun

1. loafing; idling.

verb (used without object)

, miked, mik·ing.

1. to loaf.

mike

⁴

[ mahyk ]

noun

1. micrometer ¹( def 2 ).

verb (used with object)

, miked, mik·ing.

1. to measure with a micrometer.

Mike

⁵

[ mahyk ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Michael.
2. (lowercase) a word used in communications to represent the letter M.

mike

¹

/ maɪk /

noun

1. informal.
   short for microphone See also mike up

Mike

²

/ maɪk /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter m

Word History and Origins

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

“We like Ike” was turned into Roy O. Disney’s hugely successful animated TV campaign commercial, “I Like Ike,” helping the guy good at the mike win in a landslide over Adlai Stevenson.

From Los Angeles Times

“Precise and circumspect, with an avuncular demeanor and an authoritative voice .... Summerall indulged his partner’s many appetites and asides, even when that meant being elbowed aside at the mike and in the limelight.”

From Los Angeles Times

With so many people talking at once, they bleed into each other’s mikes, creating headaches for him.

From Los Angeles Times

“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

I wanted to just be center stage, mike stand, no bells and whistles, and just say to people, “This is why I’m still here. I can still strip it back.”

From Los Angeles Times