Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

hood

noun (1)
\ ˈhu̇d How to pronounce hood (audio) \

Definition of hood

 (Entry 1 of 7)

1a(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
2a : 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
3a : 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

noun (2)
\ ˈhu̇d How to pronounce hood (audio) , ˈhüd How to pronounce hood (audio) \

Definition of hood (Entry 2 of 7)

: hoodlum

hood

noun (3)
\ ˈhu̇d How to pronounce hood (audio) \
variants: or 'hood

Definition of hood (Entry 3 of 7)

: a neighborhood and especially an inner-city neighborhood also : inner city

-hood

noun suffix

Definition of -hood (Entry 4 of 7)

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

Hood

biographical name (1)
\ ˈhu̇d How to pronounce Hood (audio) \

Definition of Hood (Entry 5 of 7)

John Bell 1831–1879 American Confederate general

Hood

biographical name (2)

Definition of Hood (Entry 6 of 7)

Samuel 1724–1816 1st Viscount Hood British admiral

Hood

biographical name (3)

Definition of Hood (Entry 7 of 7)

Thomas 1799–1845 English poet

Other Words from hood

Noun (1)

hood transitive verb
hoodlike \ ˈhu̇d-​ˌlīk How to pronounce hoodlike (audio) \ adjective

Noun (2)

hoody \ ˈhu̇-​dē How to pronounce hoody (audio) , ˈhü-​ \ adjective

First Known Use of hood

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

1880, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1967, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hood

Noun (1)

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

Noun (3)

short for neighborhood

Noun suffix

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about hood

Dictionary Entries near hood

hoochie

hoochie-coochie

hoochinoo

hood

-hood

Hood

Hood Canal

Statistics for hood

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for hood

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for hood

-hood

noun suffix

English Language Learners Definition of -hood

: state : condition : quality
: people sharing a condition or character

hood

noun
\ ˈhu̇d How to pronounce hood (audio) \

Kids Definition of hood

1 : a covering for the head and neck and sometimes the face
2 : the movable covering for an automobile engine
3 : a cover that is used especially to protect or shield something a lens hood

Other Words from hood

hooded \ ˈhu̇-​dəd \ adjective a hooded jacket

-hood

noun suffix
\ ˌhu̇d\

Kids Definition of -hood

1 : state : condition : quality : nature childhood likelihood
2 : instance of a specified state or quality falsehood
3 : individuals sharing a specified state or character manhood

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on hood

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hood

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hood

Spanish Central: Translation of hood

Nglish: Translation of hood for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hood for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hood

Comments on hood

What made you want to look up hood? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

pungle

Listen to the pronounciation of pungle

to make a payment or contribution

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

  • time traveler quiz which word came first
  • Which came first?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games