mike
mike Lexical Profile
mike Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An informal term for a microphone, an instrument used for converting sound waves into electrical energy for amplification, broadcasting, or recording.
"The lead singer adjusted the height of the mike before addressing the audience."
A code word representing the letter M in the NATO phonetic alphabet, used for clear radio and aviation communication.
"The air traffic controller spelled out the call sign using Mike and Papa for clarity."
• verb
To equip a performer, musical instrument, or stage with a microphone or microphones, or to amplify and record sound using a microphone.
"The sound technician carefully miked the acoustic guitar before the concert began."
Word Nuance & Usage
Both 'mike' and 'mic' are accepted informal shortenings of 'microphone'; 'mic' is now more common for the noun in general writing, while 'mike' remains preferred for the inflected verb forms ('miked', 'miking') to avoid pronunciation ambiguity with 'miced' and 'micing'.
• Rhymes for mike
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the 1920s as an informal phonetic clipping and respelling of 'microphone'.