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

Getting to the middle is less about forcing their way to the hoop and more about drawing in help to open up the outside. —Fred Katz, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

And some longtime women's hoops stars have denounced certain supporters of Clark and discouraged them from following the sport. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025

Verb

From the first time Venus and Serena Williams graced the pages of the magazine (as teens in Carolina Herrera circa 1998) to that afternoon Hamish Bowles hooped with Amar’e Stoudemire, take a look back on a history of athletes in Vogue. —Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025

In boys hoops action, Brandon Bass had 43 points for Windermere Prep, while St. Cloud won again. —Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025

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