hike

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

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

hiker

3 of 3

noun (2)

hik·​er

-kə(r)

plural -s

: one that hikes

especially : a person who goes on a hike for pleasure or exercise

Synonyms of hike

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 (1)

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

On Wednesday, the Fed will release the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee’s September meeting, where the policymaking arm hiked rates for the first time in three years. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

In July, the government hiked some tourist visa prices by more than 400%. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Noun

The treasures of both the sea and the surrounding mountains are at your fingertips thanks to an array of land and water activities ranging from hikes and beach picnics to fishing experiences and sunset cruises. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Citing incomplete data, industry lobbyists point to smaller price hikes in recent years and higher use of care. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps akin to hitch entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1809, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

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