hookup

1 of 2

noun

hook·​up ˈhu̇k-ˌəp How to pronounce hookup (audio)
1
: a state of cooperation or alliance
2
: an assemblage (as of circuits) used for a specific purpose (such as radio transmission)
also : the plan of such an assemblage
3
: an arrangement of mechanical parts
also : connection
a campsite with electric, water, and sewer hookups
4
: an act or an instance of hooking up
especially : a casual sexual encounter

hook up

2 of 2

verb

hooked up; hooking up; hooks up

intransitive verb

1
: to become associated especially in a working or social relationship
The quartet hooked up in 1990 with Reggie Andrews, a high school music teacher who taught the naive group the nuts and bolts of album making and the record industry.Lorraine Ali
… achieve your next fantasy camp experience in skiing. Do so by hooking up with Olympic medalist Christin Cooper and her husband Mark Tache, a former U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Pro Tour racer.Skiing
Judy Ratner was my first best friend. We hooked up in second grade, soon after my family had moved down the block from her house, in a New Jersey suburb.Marialisa Calta
2
informal : to have a casual sexual encounter
… on Covert Affairs, Christopher Gorham plays a blind CIA tech operative who hooks up with lovely girls …Libby Gelman-Waxner

transitive verb

: connect
hooked up the trailer
hook up a hose to the faucet
Intrigued, the researchers hooked up an infrared video camera and let it roll overnight.Henry Fountain

Examples of hookup in a Sentence

Noun The interview will be broadcast through a satellite hookup. The cabin has electric and water hookups. Verb former classmates who hooked up and started a business together
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Although there have been many success stories of users finding long-term love from using the app, Tinder is widely known for being a fun platform for hookups and casual dating. Tianna Soto, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2024 In the campground on the northeast shore, work will continue this summer on a project to add full hookups to host sites. Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Mahomes' biggest throw on Sunday afternoon was his last, a 32-yard hookup with Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the two-minute warning that effectively punctuated Kansas City's 17-10 victory. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 And apparently, there was a few hookups in the house. EW.com, 8 Nov. 2023 That price includes the leasing of the box from Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which owns the patent and contracts with a manufacturer, as well as costs for installation, electrical and alarm system hookups, and staff training on how to use it. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 The new facility will feature dorm-style housing and common areas, as well as several tiny homes and RV hookups on the property. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Although the developer of that project did not seek to use the mayor’s accelerated approval process, the project will be eligible for speedier review of building permits and utility hookups as part of ED1, city officials said. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023
Verb
The two hook up, and then Eden never hears from him. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024 Data center operators are clamoring to hook up to regional electricity grids at the same time the Biden administration’s industrial policy is luring companies to build factories in the United States at a pace not seen in decades. Evan Halper, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Invariably, someone would hook up a Nintendo to play video games in the days before iPhones or internet access. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Someone had hooked up a radio and placed it on small platform nailed to a tree in the backyard. Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Those who are already hooked up with panels on their roofs tout the benefits of cheaper electricity and greater agency over their own power. Sibi Arasu, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 Initially, about 10% of the 804 parking spots would be hooked up for EV charging stations. Detroit Free Press, 19 Feb. 2024 So far, four Cherry Hill households have been hooked up with Artesian Water, the water system serving the area, said Joseph DiNunzio, president of Artesian Water Maryland. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2024 When Emma comes back by herself, the pair passionately hook up. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hookup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hookup was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near hookup

Cite this Entry

“Hookup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hookup. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hookup

noun
hook·​up ˈhu̇k-ˌəp How to pronounce hookup (audio)
1
2
a
: an arrangement (as of circuits) used for a specific purpose (as in radio)
b
: the diagram of such an arrangement
3
: an arrangement of mechanical parts

More from Merriam-Webster on hookup

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