often attributive
1
: a circular strip used especially for holding together the staves of containers or as a plaything
2
a
: a circular figure or object : ring
b
: the rim of a basketball goal
broadly
: the entire goal
3
: a circle or series of circles of flexible material used to expand a woman's skirt
4
: basketball
—usually used in plural
hooped; hooping; hoops
: to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop
hooper
noun
Examples of hoop in a Sentence
Noun
made Christmas garlands from hoops of red and green construction paper
Recent Examples on the Web
Katheryn Houghton, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
These silver hoop earrings are stunning and only $20 for a set of three.
—Maura Jenkins, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023
Rabanne Eight Nano hoop earrings Rabanne’s gold hoops make any outfit instantly cool.
—Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
The Duchess of Sussex swept her hair back in a bun and added small gold hoop earrings — and the sleek fashion statement marked her latest time in a favorite neckline!
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
For example, kids can jump over towels or wiggle through a hula hoop.
10 of 17
10.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 16 Nov. 2023
Embroider the design, then place in a miniature embroidery hoop (use hot glue to seal the edges).
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023
There are the standard small hoops and huggies, but Michelle’s first collection shines with standouts like the Donut earring sets, a fat hoop design with a glittering crystal smacked into the middle.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Harbour Hoop Earrings Gold hoops are having a moment, and this classic pair can be worn to add a finishing touch to any look.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2023
Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
The advent of one-and-done college players means that many arrive ill-equipped to hoop with adults.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 21 June 2023
For example, a weighted hula hoop workout could include six rounds of hula hooping.
—Erin Warwood, womenshealthmag.com, 8 Apr. 2023
Janie Taylor did the costumes; the men’s leotards are gray on top and charcoal on the bottom, with a thin red waistband, whereas the women’s are hooped black and white on top and white on the bottom, with the same red waistband.
—Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Apr. 2023
These guys can hoop, too.
—Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune, 14 Mar. 2021
Nevertheless, panniers, or hooped petticoats undergirding the hips, and their 16th- and 17th-century relatives, farthingales, stepped out of the history books and onto the spring runways.
—Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 21 Mar. 2023
Anybody can hoop in this tournament.
—Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 15 Mar. 2023
My job is to hoop.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2022
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Noun
Clients without internet access, unlimited cellphone minutes, or the ability to travel to a public assistance office may not be able to jump through the hoops to keep their benefits.
—Katheryn Houghton, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
These silver hoop earrings are stunning and only $20 for a set of three.
—Maura Jenkins, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023
Rabanne Eight Nano hoop earrings Rabanne’s gold hoops make any outfit instantly cool.
—Porter Simmons, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023
The Duchess of Sussex swept her hair back in a bun and added small gold hoop earrings — and the sleek fashion statement marked her latest time in a favorite neckline!
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
For example, kids can jump over towels or wiggle through a hula hoop.
10 of 17
10.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 16 Nov. 2023
Embroider the design, then place in a miniature embroidery hoop (use hot glue to seal the edges).
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023
There are the standard small hoops and huggies, but Michelle’s first collection shines with standouts like the Donut earring sets, a fat hoop design with a glittering crystal smacked into the middle.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Harbour Hoop Earrings Gold hoops are having a moment, and this classic pair can be worn to add a finishing touch to any look.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2023
Verb
Chalamet sported a black hoodie with a matching baseball cap, while Jenner rocked hooped earrings and a stylish updo hairstyle with a black, strapless top.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
The advent of one-and-done college players means that many arrive ill-equipped to hoop with adults.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 21 June 2023
For example, a weighted hula hoop workout could include six rounds of hula hooping.
—Erin Warwood, womenshealthmag.com, 8 Apr. 2023
Janie Taylor did the costumes; the men’s leotards are gray on top and charcoal on the bottom, with a thin red waistband, whereas the women’s are hooped black and white on top and white on the bottom, with the same red waistband.
—Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Apr. 2023
These guys can hoop, too.
—Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune, 14 Mar. 2021
Nevertheless, panniers, or hooped petticoats undergirding the hips, and their 16th- and 17th-century relatives, farthingales, stepped out of the history books and onto the spring runways.
—Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 21 Mar. 2023
Anybody can hoop in this tournament.
—Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 15 Mar. 2023
My job is to hoop.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hoop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing hoop
Dictionary Entries Near hoop
Cite this Entry
“Hoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoop. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
hoop
nounˈhu̇p,
ˈhüp
1
: a circular band used for holding together the strips that make up the sides of a barrel
also
: a similar band used as a toy
2
a
: a circular figure or object : ring
b
: the rim of a basketball goal
broadly
: the entire goal
3
: basketball
—usually used in plural
4
: a circle or series of circles of flexible material used to expand a woman's skirt
hoop
verb
More from Merriam-Webster on hoop
Nglish: Translation of hoop for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of hoop for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hoop
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