hoop

American  

[hoop, hoop] / hup, hʊp /

noun

1. a circular band or ring of metal, wood, or other stiff material.

2. such a band for holding together the staves of a cask, tub, etc.

3. a large ring of iron, wood, plastic, etc., used as a plaything for a child to roll along the ground.

4. a circular or ringlike object, part, figure, etc.

5. Jewelry. the shank of a finger ring.

6. Croquet. a wicket.

7. a circular band of stiff material used to expand and display a woman's skirt.

8. hoop skirt.

9. Basketball Informal.

   1. the metal ring from which the net is suspended; rim.

   2. the metal ring and net taken together; the basket.

   3. the game of basketball.

10. a decorative band, as around a mug or cup.

11. hoop iron.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop or hoops.

2. to encircle; surround.

hoop ¹ British  

/ huːp /

noun

1. a rigid circular band of metal or wood

2. something resembling this

3. 1. a band of iron that holds the staves of a barrel or cask together

   2. ( as modifier )

      hoop iron

4. a child's toy shaped like a hoop and rolled on the ground or whirled around the body

5. croquet any of the iron arches through which the ball is driven

6. 1. a light curved frame to spread out a skirt

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hoop skirt

      a hoop petticoat

7. basketball the round metal frame to which the net is attached to form the basket

8. a large ring through which performers or animals jump

9. jewellery

   1. an earring consisting of one or more circles of metal, plastic, etc

   2. the part of a finger ring through which the finger fits

10. informal a jockey

11. to be subjected to an ordeal

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verb

1. (tr) to surround with or as if with a hoop

hoop ² British  

/ huːp /

noun

1. a variant spelling of whoop

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hoop Idioms  

1. see jump through hoops.

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Other Word Forms

• hooped adjective
• hoopless adjective
• hooplike adjective
• unhooped adjective

Etymology

Origin of hoop

1125–75; Middle English hope, hoop, late Old English hōp; cognate with Dutch hoep

Example Sentences

Rice has played more of a shooting guard role this season with Leger-Walker taking over at point guard, which has opened her up to shoot more and drive to the hoop without facilitating as often.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Brothers Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale got their start in 1872 selling hoop skirts, corsets and other women’s fashions on New York’s Lower East Side.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

At least as many people will probably remember her ability to throw a basketball through a hoop while facing in the opposite direction which she did while visiting a cross-community scheme on Wednesday.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Four times in a matter of three minutes, Smith attacked the hoop, carrying the weight of USC’s weeks-long slump on her shoulders as she did.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

I try to keep the anger out of my words, but that’s like trying to play basketball without a hoop.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• basket
• rim