Hula-Hoop

American  

[hoo-luh-hoop] / ˈhu ləˌhup /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a tubular plastic hoop, about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in diameter, for rotating about the body by swinging the hips, used for physical exercise or in children's play: introduced in the 1950s.

---

Hula Hoop British  

noun

1. a light hoop that is whirled around the body by movements of the waist and hips

---

Explanation

A hula-hoop is a toy — a plastic, circular tube you rotate around your body by circling your hips. Some experts can get several hula-hoops spinning at the same time. Twirling a hula-hoop around your waist is fun, and it's also good exercise. Hoops have been used as playthings for centuries, but the hula-hoop was invented in 1958. The toy made from plastic tubing was based on traditional hoops made of rattan or bamboo, and it was wildly popular. At one point, the manufacturer produced 50,000 hula-hoops a day. The word hula was used because the hip movements were seen as similar to the Hawaiian hula dance.

Example Sentences

The group has been known to break out into hopscotch, Hula-Hoop, line dancing, jump rope and patty-cake, among other games.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2024

Hula-Hoop Girl, which was discovered in Nottingham, will be exhibited at The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket.

From BBC • May 23, 2023

As I sat at this table, I taught kids how to Hula-Hoop, how to spin a top, and how to draw different animals.

From Slate • Jul. 28, 2019

A heavier hoop—and a larger hoop—takes longer to make a revolution around your waist, which makes them easier to “hoop” than a typical toy-store Hula-Hoop.

From National Geographic Kids • Jul. 11, 2016

I have a gigantic Hula-Hoop around my waist.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan