English Dictionary

Definition of “hoop”

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1hoop1 (huːpPronunciation for hoop1) 

Definitions

noun

  1. a rigid circular band of metal or wood
  2. something resembling this
    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
    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. Australian informal a jockey
  11. See go through the hoop

verb

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

Alternative Forms

hooped adjective ˈhoopˌlike adjective

Word Origin

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

2hoop2 (huːpPronunciation for hoop2) 

Definitions

noun verb

  1. a variant spelling of whoop

Usage examples

  • On the prisoners" side were three pool tables, a long steel food counter and a basketball hoop high on the back wall.
    O'Connor, Joe, Desperadoes (1994)
  • Sadly, this tradition has gone the way of rolling a hoop with a stick.
    Maxim (2004)
  • There's also the old hula hoop in the garage, the beach ball, the broom handle for stretches.
    canada.com (2004)
  • It appears to dangle from a coathanger from the line suspended from one hoop to the other.
    Belfast Telegraph (2004)
  • An old routine that I do is to try and persuade a stuffed dog to jump through a hoop.
    Bain, Roly, Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning (1993)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'H'

Related Terms

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