MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the function of several immune cells, but their role in promoting CD8⁺ T cell immunity remains unknown. Here we report that miRNA-155 is required for CD8⁺ T cell responses to both virus and cancer. In the absence of miRNA-155, accumulation of effector CD8⁺ T cells was severely reduced during acute and chronic viral infections and control of virus replication was impaired. Similarly, Mir155^−/− CD8⁺ T cells were ineffective at controlling tumor growth, whereas miRNA-155 overexpression enhanced the antitumor response. miRNA-155 deficiency resulted in accumulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) causing defective cytokine signaling through STAT5. Consistently, enforced expression of SOCS-1 in CD8⁺ T cells phenocopied the miRNA-155 deficiency, whereas SOCS-1 silencing augmented tumor destruction. These findings identify miRNA-155 and its target SOCS-1 as key regulators of effector CD8⁺ T cells that can be modulated to potentiate immunotherapies for infectious diseases and cancer.