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.

---

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

---

verb

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

hoop ² British  

/ huːp /

noun

1. a variant spelling of whoop

---

hoop Idioms  

1. see jump through hoops.

---

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

“It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Snoop, Reggie and Terry talk hoops with a side order of fun.”

From Los Angeles Times

How many hoops does this team need to jump through?

From The Wall Street Journal

"Everyone should have affordable, good healthcare, and not have to jump through all these hoops."

From BBC

When hurling down the ball with a wobbling seam rather than looking to hoop it, some deliveries jag unpredictably off the surface after pitching.

From BBC

Orange Lutheran 6-foot-8 senior pitcher Gary Morse will throw a no-hitter, then find a hoop and celebrate with a dunk.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basket
• rim