hoop

[ hoop, hoop ]

/ hup, hʊp /

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See synonyms for: hoop / hoops on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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

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

Jewelry. the shank of a finger ring.

Croquet. a wicket.

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

hoop skirt.

Basketball Informal.

the metal ring from which the net is suspended; rim.
the metal ring and net taken together; the basket.
the game of basketball.

a decorative band, as around a mug or cup.

hoop iron.

verb (used with object)

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

to encircle; surround.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of hoop

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

OTHER WORDS FROM hoop

hoopless, adjectivehooplike, adjectiveun·hooped, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hoop in a sentence

Animals jumped through unbelievable hoops and seemingly appeared out of thin air.
How the Circus Got a Social Conscience|Justin Jones|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stacked cylinders form a base beneath her feet and loosely roll about as she juggles objects and weaves in and out of hula-hoops.
How the Circus Got a Social Conscience|Justin Jones|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We have to jump through hoops to do things that should be simple—filing taxes, being respected as a family.
Last of the Anti-Gay Marriage Judges|Marc Solomon|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Given the hoops mania, though, the gym is the largest in the state, capable of holding 3,000-plus rabid fans.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Jumping through hoops to maintain status as a legitimate business is nothing really new.
Too Hot for Google: Why The Internet Giant Is Scared of Porn|Aurora Snow|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And then, while he still struggled to have his way with her, a pair of arms took him about the waist like hoops of steel.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Here we have shepherdesses in hoops and wreaths of roses and shepherds in satin coats, who carry crooks tied with knots of riband.
Child Life In Town And Country|Anatole France
The foragers had hoops, also, but they were to throw down theirs, and to make their escape at the signal agreed on.
Digby Heathcote|W.H.G. Kingston
Those whose hoops had been knocked down assembled on one side, close to the side wicket.
Digby Heathcote|W.H.G. Kingston
The hoops to have holes in the bottom; the crushings are saved, and set, and churned, to grease the cheese.
Domestic Animals|Richard L. Allen

British Dictionary definitions for hoop (1 of 2)

hoop¹

/ (huːp) /

noun

a rigid circular band of metal or wood

something resembling this

a band of iron that holds the staves of a barrel or cask together
(as modifier)hoop iron

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

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

a light curved frame to spread out a skirt
(as modifier)a hoop skirt; a hoop petticoat

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

a large ring through which performers or animals jump

jewellery

an earring consisting of one or more circles of metal, plastic, etc
the part of a finger ring through which the finger fits

Australian informal a jockey

go through the hoop or be put through the hoop to be subjected to an ordeal

verb

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

Derived forms of hoop

hooped, adjectivehooplike, adjective

Word Origin for hoop

Old English hōp; related to Dutch hoep, Old Norse hōp bay, Lithuanian kabẽ hook

British Dictionary definitions for hoop (2 of 2)

hoop²

/ (huːp) /

noun, verb

a variant spelling of whoop

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with hoop

hoop

see jump through hoops.

hoop

Origin of hoop

OTHER WORDS FROM hoop

Words related to hoop

How to use hoop in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hoop (1 of 2)

Derived forms of hoop

Word Origin for hoop

British Dictionary definitions for hoop (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with hoop