hoop

[hoop, hoop]

noun

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

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

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

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

5. Jewelry.,  the shank of a finger ring.

6. Croquet.,  a wicket.

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

8. hoop skirt.

9. Basketball Informal.

   1. the metal ring from which the net is suspended; rim.

   2. the metal ring and net taken together; the basket.

   3. the game of basketball.

10. a decorative band, as around a mug or cup.

11. hoop iron.

verb (used with object)

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

2. to encircle; surround.

hoop

¹

/ huːp /

noun

1. a rigid circular band of metal or wood

2. something resembling this

3. 1. a band of iron that holds the staves of a barrel or cask together

   2. ( as modifier )

      hoop iron

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

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

6. 1. a light curved frame to spread out a skirt

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hoop skirt

      a hoop petticoat

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

8. a large ring through which performers or animals jump

9. jewellery

   1. an earring consisting of one or more circles of metal, plastic, etc

   2. the part of a finger ring through which the finger fits

10. informal,  a jockey

11. to be subjected to an ordeal

verb

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

hoop

²

/ huːp /

noun

1. a variant spelling of whoop

Other Word Forms

• hooplike adjective
• hooped adjective
• hoopless adjective
• unhooped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoop¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoop¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see jump through hoops.

Example Sentences

The hoops are a danger to the mammals because they can get stuck around their necks, with often fatal results.

From BBC

The closest it has come to the Games was when Fotheringham memorably performed in the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, when he rode down a giant ramp and backflipped through a flaming hoop.

From BBC

Rasheed Smith, a Venice basketball player who played in the Legends game Sunday, has been hooping on the boardwalk for 48 years.

From Los Angeles Times

"I am a blue badge holder and I have to pay because I am not computer literate," he says, arguing that "you have to jump through hoops to get this discount".

From BBC

The deeper one analyzes it, the more sinister its class dynamics feel, even if it’s an excuse to showcase, say, street dancing and hula hoop acrobatics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basket 
• rim