hike

1 of 2

verb

ˈhīk 

hiked; hiking

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go on a hike

b

: to travel by any means

2

: to rise up

especially : to work upward out of place

skirt had hiked up in back

transitive verb

1

a

: to move, pull, or raise with a sudden motion

hiked himself onto the top bunk

b

: snap sense transitive 6b

c

: to raise in amount sharply or suddenly

hike rents

2

: to take on a hike

3

: to traverse on a hike

hike a trail

hiker noun

hike

2 of 2

noun

1

: a long walk especially for pleasure or exercise see also take a hike

2

: an increase especially in quantity or amount

a new wage hike

3

: snap sense 11

Synonyms

Verb

• stroll
• walk

Examples of hike in a Sentence

Verb

We spent the afternoon hiking around the lake.

She hiked 10 miles in the hot desert sun.

We hiked some of the shorter trails.

Our neighbors spent their vacation hiking the Rockies.

The state keeps hiking the tax on cigarettes.

There's talk of hiking the eligibility age.

I hiked myself onto the ledge.

Noun

We went for a hike around the lake.

The school lost a number of students after the tuition hike.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Similarly, a New Jersey man has been missing since July 28 after reportedly hiking along one of the most challenging trails in the Grand Canyon, according to the National Park Service. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2025

Last month, the central bank slashed interest rates by 200 basis points to revive stalling growth, after hiking them to sky-high levels to fight inflation that’s been stoked by Russia’s war on Ukraine. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025

Noun

For a more serious hike, lace up sturdy shoes and head to the Appalachian State University Nature Preserve, a 67-acre sanctuary that’s the largest contiguous forest still standing in town. —Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025

Options for guided, small group activities range from scenic horseback riding to bike tours, glacier cruises, leisurely hikes, and challenging treks to the French Valley or the iconic towers. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps akin to hitch entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1809, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hike

• go take a hike
• take a hike

Rhymes for hike

• bike
• dike
• ike
• like
• mike
• psych
• pyke
• shrike
• spike
• strike
• tike
• alike

Kids Definition

hike

1 of 2 verb

ˈhīk 

hiked; hiking

1

: to move or raise up

hike rents

2

: to go on a long walk

hiker noun

hike

2 of 2 noun

1

: a long walk especially for pleasure or exercise

2

: an upward movement : rise

a price hike