# mike

/ˈmaɪk/ (US) · /mˈaɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mike
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. microphone

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short way to say or write 'microphone'.

For teachers: a colloquial clipping of 'microphone', frequently used in media production and casual speech.

- The singer stepped up to the mike and began the first song.
- Before the broadcast began, the sound engineer checked every mike on the stage to ensure there was no interference.

Usage: Often spelled 'mic' in modern digital contexts, though 'mike' remains standard in many style guides.

### 2. the letter M

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the word used for the letter 'M' when speaking clearly over a radio or phone.

For teachers: the designated code word for the letter M in the NATO/ICAO phonetic alphabet.

- The pilot confirmed the coordinates as Alpha-Mike-Seven.
- To avoid confusion during the storm, the dispatcher spelled out the vessel's name using the phonetic alphabet, ending with 'Mike'.

Usage: Always capitalized in this context (Mike).

### 3. a minute

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a slang word for one minute, often used by soldiers.

For teachers: a slang term for a minute, primarily used in military or tactical communications.

- The squad leader told the team they would move out in five mikes.
- The extraction team estimated their arrival at the landing zone in approximately ten mikes, pending weather conditions.

Teaching tip: This is highly specific to military jargon; using it in a business meeting would be confusing or sound like you are pretending to be a soldier.

### 4. to provide with a microphone

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to put a microphone on a person or a musical instrument.

For teachers: to equip a person or object with one or more microphones for sound recording or amplification.

- The crew had to mike the actors before the interview could start.
- The technician decided to mike the drum kit using a multi-channel setup to capture the full range of the performance.

Usage: Usually transitive, requiring a direct object.

## Examples

- My friend Mike is coming over for dinner tonight.
- After the meeting, Mike stayed behind to help the team clean up the conference room.
- While his legal documents all listed him as Michael, he preferred that his colleagues and friends address him simply as Mike to maintain a more approachable atmosphere.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.