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
4
: an act or an instance of hooking up
especially
: a casual sexual encounter
hooked up; hooking up; hooks up
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
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
SkiingJudy 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
Marialisa Calta2
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
Libby Gelman-Waxner
: 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
Henry FountainExamples 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
Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
When the lines start blurring, things can get messy, and your fun, friendly hookup becomes just another source of drama.
—Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2025
Rebecca Keegan, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025
The 65-inch TV also has Dolby Atmos audio output, which works best when hooked up to a compatible soundbar and will make Mom feel like she’s actually involved in the next Real Housewives screaming match.
—Clint Davis, People.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hookup
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Noun
Although developers can buy the properties on the cheap, the lots often require sewer hookups and other upfront expenses that can add up and make their profit margins slim — even if the developers secure construction subsidies from the county or other sources.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
When the lines start blurring, things can get messy, and your fun, friendly hookup becomes just another source of drama.
—Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Every block, the DJs hooking up their turntables and speakers to the streetlights.
—Rebecca Keegan, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025
The 65-inch TV also has Dolby Atmos audio output, which works best when hooked up to a compatible soundbar and will make Mom feel like she’s actually involved in the next Real Housewives screaming match.
—Clint Davis, People.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hookup
Cite this Entry
“Hookup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hookup. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hookup
noun
hook·up
ˈhu̇k-ˌəp 
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
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