Definition of hoof
hooves
play \ˈhüvz, ˈhu̇vz\ alsohoofs
1 : a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw
2 : a hoofed foot especially of a horse
on the hoof
of a meat animal : before butchering : living 90¢ a pound on the hoof
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of hoof from the Web
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If there are free places, there are certainly players who are already scraping their hooves and wanting to take these places.
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Small hoof table; writing table, 19th-century; metal armchair, 19th-century; plaster torso and foot, 19th-century; French lamp—
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The Mount St. Helens herd was battling hoof disease, which may have contributed to bigger losses.
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Because dead skin and moisture are largely to blame for the development of foot odor, making sure your hooves are as well groomed as possible will go a long way in keeping things from stinking to high heaven this summer.
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The bucks spar with their hooves because their still-forming antlers are sensitive.
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Together with co-director and editor Steen Johannessen, Fayyad brings a rigorous sense of craft and shock-and-awe scale to the film's impressions of destruction, without impeding its anxious, on-the-hoof spontaneity.
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The animal must have both a split hoof and chew its cud.
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Giraffes and other hoof stock animals do not receive antibodies in utero as humans do, so the first 24 hours of life are essential for establishing these proteins.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hoof.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of hoof
Origin and Etymology of hoof
Middle English, from Old English hōf; akin to Old High German huof hoof, Sanskrit śapha
Other Anatomy Terms
hoof
Definition of hoof
Examples of hoof in a Sentence
The cast was hoofing on the stage.
Recent Examples of hoof from the Web
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After hoofing it along a scenic trail through the nature preserve, the daters arrive at the Tijuana River.
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On Wednesday, Kay will hoof it up and down the steep terrain of the Poppy Hills Golf Club, intently following his son, Donald, who at 17 will never know the hardships of his father, but certainly understands where humble, hard work can get you.
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Second, and probably for that very reason, Paisley’s casting choices seem to have emphasized acting and singing chops over the ability to hoof on cue.
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Another intervention in a Scarpa building, which became a word-of-mouth success among the art-world types hoofing across the stones of Venice, is already over.
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Diners who want free parking must hoof it from lots and structures across the street, or a block away behind Old Navy.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hoof.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of hoof
1641
HOOF Defined for English Language Learners
hoof
playDefinition of hoof for English Language Learners
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: the hard covering on the foot of an animal (such as a horse or pig)
hoof
Definition of hoof for English Language Learners
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: to dance as a performer
HOOF Defined for Kids
hoof
playDefinition of hoof for Students
hooves
\ˈhu̇vz, ˈhüvz\ orhoofs
1 : a covering of tough material that protects the ends of the toes of some animals (as horses, oxen, or pigs)
2 : a foot (as of a horse) covered by a hoof
hoofed
\ˈhu̇ft, ˈhüft\ adjectiveMedical Dictionary
Illustration of hoof
Learn More about hoof
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See words that rhyme with hoof Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hoof Spanish Central: Translation of hoof Nglish: Translation of hoof for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hoof for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hoof
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