hose

1 of 2

noun

ˈhōz 

plural hose or hoses

1

plural hose

a(1)

: a cloth leg covering that sometimes covers the foot

(2)

: stocking, sock

b(1)

: a close-fitting garment covering the legs and waist that is usually attached to a doublet by points

(2)

: short breeches reaching to the knee

2

: a flexible tube for conveying fluids (as from a faucet or hydrant)

hose

2 of 2

verb

hosed; hosing

transitive verb

1

a

: to spray, water, or wash with a hose

—often used with down

hose down a stable floor

b

slang : to fire automatic weapons at

—usually used with down

2

slang : to deprive of something due or expected : trick, cheat

Synonyms

Noun

• sock
• stocking

Verb

• squeeze
• sting
• pluck
• screw
• cheat
• stick
• hustle
• beat
• fleece
• bleed

Examples of hose in a Sentence

Noun

There are several hoses stored in the shed.

We need another 50 feet of hose.

Verb

when the guy failed to return with our money, we realized that we had been hosed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Turn on a soaker hose for about 10 minutes, then turn the water off for an hour to allow the water to trickle down into the soil, not runoff. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 June 2025

Jimmy Kimmel slams Trump, calls him 'arsonist with a hose' over ICE sweeps in LA This isn't the first time this year Fuerza Regida has put their money where their community is. —Pamela Avila, USA Today, 21 June 2025

Verb

First Venice, then Barcelona — where tourists of all stripes are now routinely hosed down in protest by locals armed with water pistols — have in the course of falling victim to the effects of mass tourism, become the poster-child towns of the resistance to the erosion of culture. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

The low pile makes for easy cleaning—just hose it down if needed—and the polypropylene outdoor material ensures its durability over time, even in a sunny spot. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hosa stocking, husk; akin to Old High German hosa leg covering

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hose

• fire hose
• garden hose
• panty hose
• support hose
• trunk hose

Rhymes for hose

• blows
• brose
• chose
• cloze
• cose
• crows
• doughs
• doze
• floes
• flows
• foes
• froze

Kids Definition

hose

1 of 2 noun

ˈhōz 

1

plural hose

a

: stocking, sock

b

: a close-fitting garment covering the legs and waist worn by men in about 1600

c

: short pants reaching to the knee

2

plural hose or hoses : a flexible tube for carrying fluid

hose

2 of 2 verb

hosed; hosing

: to spray, water, or wash with a hose