hoop

noun, often attributive \ ˈhüp also ˈhu̇p \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: hoop in a Sentence

Definition of hoop

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

—

hooplike

play \ˈhüp-ˌlīk also ˈhu̇p\ adjective

See hoop defined for English-language learners

See hoop defined for kids

Examples of hoop in a Sentence

made Christmas garlands from hoops of red and green construction paper

Recent Examples of hoop from the Web

But the state would have to jump through several additional hoops next year to officially scrap it.

— taryn luna, sacbee, "End of daylight saving time inches closer in California," 14 June 2018
Their earrings—hoops and studs drooping from holes punched decades ago—are something you just don't see as often in South Dakota or Milwaukee.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Beer and Bikes in the Black Forest—And All for a Good Cause," 31 May 2018
Hansen resigned after 14 seasons leading one of the most successful programs in area girls hoops.

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pewaukee keeps it in the family in hiring new girls basketball coach," 30 May 2018
If the Celtics don’t engage in hoops self-harm then playing in the NBA Finals looks probable.

— christopher l. gasper, BostonGlobe.com, "Celtics making path to NBA Finals a mission possible," 16 May 2018
Stein experienced the trend first-hand when her daughter (a 2016 grad) constructed her own hoop skirt out of refrigerator tubing for her formal at Brooklyn Technical High School.

— sara m moniuszko, USA TODAY, "How prom fashion has evolved from ubiquitous gowns to include DIY and gender fluid options," 27 Apr. 2018
Damian Lillard drives to the hoop past Nikola Mirotic as the Portland Trail Blazers face the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA playoffs first-round matchup at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

— OregonLive.com, "PHOTOS: Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans, NBA playoffs 2018 Game 2," 17 Apr. 2018
Many took a chance in the raffle for diamond hoop earrings donated by Friend & Company Fine Jewelers.

— sue strachan, NOLA.com, "Newman Parents Association gets Lost N Shangri-La," 29 May 2018
Was that Michael Jordan who just walked by? Holding a glazed chicken wing and drinking lemonade from a tiki glass that looks like a basketball hoop?

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "My 100% Hypothetical Fantasy Cookout," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hoop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hoop

Middle English, from Old English hōp; akin to Middle Dutch hoep ring, hoop

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

hoop Synonyms

Synonyms

band, circle, eye, loop, ring, round;

Related Words

belt, cincture, collar, girdle;

wreath;

annulet, becket, coil, curl, furl, hank, spiral, spire, twirl, whorl;

hoop

verb

Definition of hoop

hooped; hooping; hoops

transitive verb

: to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop

—

hooper

noun

Recent Examples of hoop from the Web

At La Costa Glen, Joan still practices hooping with her original bamboo ring.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Carlsbad's 'Hula Girl' gives her spin on toy's history," 9 June 2018
Young broke out during the PK80 Invitational in front of the tournaments’ namesake, Nike chairman Phil Knight, and has played on the Nike hoops circuit since AAU.

— jarrel harris, SI.com, "Trae Young, Marvin Bargley and Basketball's Next Sneaker Stars," 21 Feb. 2018
Related Group activities there ranged from ballet lessons and study sessions to hula-hooping to Taylor Swift and playing Uno.

— NBC News, "On ninth day, what Oklahoma teacher walkout means for students," 12 Apr. 2018
Group activities there ranged from ballet lessons and study sessions to hula-hooping to Taylor Swift and playing Uno.

— Washington Post, "Oklahoma teacher walkout means improvising to care for kids," 12 Apr. 2018
In the past, Gay helped finance the building of playgrounds in Baltimore, as well as organizing a youth hoops tournament.

— tom orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Popovich promises to keep speaking out on Trump, social issues," 27 Mar. 2018
The club where Villa learned to hoop and helped so many others do the same held a moment of silence for him Sunday morning.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "Marco Villa, Beloved New Britain Coach, Passes Of A Heart Attack," 4 Mar. 2018
This is not the news TCU was hoping to hear on Jaylen Fisher TCU running back, lineman receive invite to NFL Combine This TCU hoops team is the hottest in Big 12 play (Shhh!

— william wilkerson, star-telegram, "Who has the best odds of winning the NCAA Tournament and where does TCU figure in?," 19 Jan. 2018
Confirmed boys hoops cancellations: Silver Grove at Bellevue; Boone County at St. Henry, Newport at Holy Cross.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Schedule changes for high school sports, Jan. 12," 12 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of hoop

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

HOOP Defined for English Language Learners

hoop

noun

Definition of hoop for English Language Learners

: a circular object : a large ring
: a large metal ring used for holding together the sides of a barrel
: a large ring used by performers or for play

HOOP Defined for Kids

hoop

noun \ ˈhu̇p , ˈhüp \

Definition of hoop for Students

1 : a circular figure or object

an embroidery hoop

2 : a circular band used for holding together the strips that make up the sides of a barrel or tub

3 : a circle or series of circles of flexible material (as wire) used for holding a woman's skirt out from the body

Learn More about hoop

See words that rhyme with hoop Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hoop Spanish Central: Translation of 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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hoop

Definition of hoop

hooplike

Examples of hoop in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hoop from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hoop

hoop Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

hoop

Definition of hoop

hooper

Recent Examples of hoop from the Web

First Known Use of hoop

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Related Phrases

HOOP Defined for English Language Learners

hoop

Definition of hoop for English Language Learners

HOOP Defined for Kids

hoop

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