hood

1 of 4

noun (1)

plural hoods
1
a(1)
: a flexible covering for the head and neck
(2)
: a protective covering for the head and face
b
: a covering for a hawk's head and eyes
c
: a covering for a horse's head
also : blinder
2
a
: an ornamental scarf worn over an academic gown that indicates by its color the wearer's college or university
b
: a color marking or crest on the head of an animal or an expansion of the head that suggests a hood
3
a
: something resembling a hood in form or use
b
: a cover for parts of mechanisms
specifically : the movable metal covering over the engine of an automobile
c
chiefly British : a top cover over the passenger section of a vehicle usually designed to be folded back
d
: an enclosure or canopy provided with a draft for carrying off fumes, sprays, smokes, or dusts
e
: a covering for an opening (such as a companion hatch) on a boat
hood transitive verb
hoodlike adjective

hood

2 of 4

noun (2)

variants or 'hood
plural hoods or 'hoods
informal
: a neighborhood and especially an inner-city neighborhood
also : inner city
plural hoods
informal
: hoodlum
… he understands the hood's plight that led him to crime.Scott Waldyn
Named for his [Elvis Presley's] iconic song of the same name, Jailhouse Rock centers on Vince Everett, a young hood serving a one-year jail sentence for manslaughter.Jake Dee

-hood

4 of 4

noun suffix

1
: state : condition : quality : character
widowerhood
hardihood
2
: time : period
childhood
3
: instance of a (specified) state or quality
falsehood
4
: individuals sharing a (specified) state or character
brotherhood

Examples of hood in a Sentence

Noun (1) counterfeiters conducting their affairs under a hood of secrecy Noun (3) when a gang of hoods started hanging out in front of the store, customers went elsewhere
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The vehicle had heavy damage to the front end and passenger side, a deflated right front tire and thick smoke coming from underneath the hood, according to police. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024 But the space lacked the infrastructure for a restaurant and required lengthy buildouts, new plumbing and other operational necessities such as oven hoods and new air conditioners. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024 Pixels dress up the front grille, spanning the hood in a light bar, and framing the rear lift gate. Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 This insulated puffer jacket has a standing collar and hood, and it’s made from weather-resistant materials. Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hood 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English hōd; akin to Old High German huot head covering, huota guard

Noun (2)

short for neighborhood

Noun suffix

Middle English -hod, from Old English -hād; akin to Old High German -heit state, Goth haidus way, manner

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1967, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hood was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hood

Cite this Entry

“Hood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hood. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hood

1 of 3 noun
1
: a soft covering for the head and neck often attached to a coat or cape
2
: a marking, crest, or fold on the head of an animal
3
a
: something resembling a hood in form or use
b
: a cover for parts of mechanisms
especially : the movable metal covering over the engine of an automobile
c
: an enclosure provided with a draft for carrying off disagreeable or harmful fumes, sprays, or dust
hooded
-əd
adjective
hoodlike adjective

hood

2 of 3 noun
informal

-hood

3 of 3 noun suffix
ˌhu̇d
1
: state : condition : quality
hardihood
2
: time : period
childhood
3
: instance of a state or quality
falsehood
4
: individuals sharing a state or character
brotherhood
Etymology

Noun suffix

Old English hād "condition, quality"

Biographical Definition

Hood 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

John Bell 1831–1879 American Confederate general

Hood

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Samuel 1724–1816 1st Viscount Hood British admiral

Hood

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Thomas 1799–1845 English poet

More from Merriam-Webster on hood

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