hoop

1 of 2

noun

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
hooplike
ˈhüp-ˌlīk How to pronounce hoop (audio)
 also  ˈhu̇p
adjective

hoop

2 of 2

verb

hooped; hooping; hoops

transitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Within a year of The Grey Album going viral, Jay-Z and Linkin Park had elevated its concept, jumped through all the necessary legal hoops, and primed it for big business. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024 Cowboy boots, a leather jacket, hoop earrings and rectangular frames topped off Hadid’s look. Hannah Malach, WWD, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
Joan took a tour of the mansion with Pascal, hula hooped with first impression rose recipient Keith and spoke with Gil about the 2019 death of his wife. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024 And while Harjo, best known as the co-creator of Reservation Dogs, grew up in Oklahoma mostly playing football, Freeland has experience hooping on a Navajo reservation, just like the students in their story. Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 8 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hoop 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hoop was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hoop

Cite this Entry

“Hoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoop. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hoop

noun
ˈhu̇p,
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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