hoop

1 of 2

noun

ˈhüp 

also

ˈhu̇p 

often attributive

1

: a circular strip used especially for holding together the staves of containers or as a plaything

2

a

: a circular figure or object : ring

b

: the rim of a basketball goal

broadly : the entire goal

3

: a circle or series of circles of flexible material used to expand a woman's skirt

4

: basketball

—usually used in plural

hooplike

ˈhüp-ˌlīk 

 also  ˈhu̇p

adjective

hoop

2 of 2

verb

hooped; hooping; hoops

transitive verb

: to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop

hooper noun

Synonyms

Noun

• band
• circle
• eye
• loop
• ring
• round

Examples of hoop in a Sentence

Noun

made Christmas garlands from hoops of red and green construction paper

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Like Hilton Rothschild, Vallance wore a matching hat, hers wide-brimmed and tilted to the side, completing her look with gold hoop statement earrings. —Maggie Clancy, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

Brides regularly turn to princess-like ball gowns with hoop skirts, elaborate lace veils, and long trains for their wedding day. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Joan took a tour of the mansion with Pascal, hula hooped with first impression rose recipient Keith and spoke with Gil about the 2019 death of his wife. —Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

And while Harjo, best known as the co-creator of Reservation Dogs, grew up in Oklahoma mostly playing football, Freeland has experience hooping on a Navajo reservation, just like the students in their story. —Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hōp; akin to Middle Dutch hoep ring, hoop

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hoop

• cock-a-hoop
• hoop house

Kids Definition

hoop

noun

ˈhu̇p,

ˈhüp

1

: a circular band used for holding together the strips that make up the sides of a barrel

also : a similar band used as a toy

2

a

: a circular figure or object : ring

b

: the rim of a basketball goal

broadly : the entire goal

3

: basketball

—usually used in plural

4

: a circle or series of circles of flexible material used to expand a woman's skirt

hoop verb