hoop

1 of 2

noun

ˈhüp 

also

ˈhu̇p 

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 

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

Synonyms of hoop

Noun

• loop
• ring
• band
• circle
• belt
• round

Examples of hoop in a Sentence

Noun

made Christmas garlands from hoops of red and green construction paper

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Roberts since retiring from basketball coaching has been a college hoops studio analyst for ESPN and also been a regular on The Field of 68 podcast. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026

Dangles and hoops showcasing beautiful gemstones from colored amethyst and topaz to radiant quartz colors. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

The win gave Rock Canyon its first title, and earned Grams the nod as the 2026 All-Colorado boys hoops Coach of the Year. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

His father, Pedro, played basketball for the Dominican Republic national team and Raposo hooped and played volleyball for both the national team and the American University of Puerto Rico. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing hoop

• cock-a-hoop
• hoop house

Rhymes for hoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop
• roop

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