hose

noun \ ˈhōz \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of hose

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)

See hose defined for English-language learners

See hose defined for kids

Examples of hose in a Sentence

There are several hoses stored in the shed.
We need another 50 feet of hose.

Recent Examples of hose from the Web

To help the kelp, commercial divers along Northern California’s Mendocino coast are tending a precious stand of kelp forest, plucking off the purple sea urchins by hand and using suction hoses to vacuum them up, says Catton.

— Washington Post, "Sea otters rebound but struggle to regain historic range," 18 May 2018
On Sunday, still wary of using climbing lines, Cal Fire crews laid down dry hoses that sheriff's personnel were able to use to climb down to the crash site, the lieutenant said.

— city news service, Ramona Sentinel, "Deputies recover bodies of plane crash victims," 14 May 2018
While with Engine 51, his job was mainly fire suppression, dragging hoses and knocking down flames.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Brian F. Dolan, 45, Philadelphia firefighter and Navy veteran," 14 May 2018
Firefighters attached hoses to hydrants on nearby streets and snaked them through the neighborhood to the scene.

— john hilliard and felicia gans, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston battles three fires, including six-alarm blaze in West Roxbury," 12 May 2018
Volunteers worked to repurpose items including pallets, cement blocks, PVC piping and even garden hoses to create the sinkable habitats.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Sinking a boat, intentionally: Volunteers establish fish habitat in Griffith lake," 7 May 2018
Firefighters compete against one another individually as well as in teams in a grueling series of five tasks that include scaling a five-story tower, hauling gear up to the tower, dragging fire hoses and rescuing a life-size fire victim.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "'Killer' Firefighter Combat Challenge comes to Tinley Park," 3 May 2018
Related stories from Idaho Statesman Rafting safety on the South Fork of the Boise River Nate Wilson demonstrates the 3-inch hose hookup for an RV dump on the Selway toilet.

— steve stuebner, idahostatesman, "A stinky situation awaits rafters this season in Idaho's whitewater capital | Idaho Statesman," 30 Apr. 2018
Ideally, soaker hoses spiraled around the tree or in a circle 6 to 8 feet away from the trunk can deliver that slow, deep irrigation.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "How to keep your trees happy after hail and drought | The Sacramento Bee," 28 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of hose

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

hose Synonyms

Synonyms

sock, stocking;

Related Words

hosiery;

support hose;

anklet, bobby socks, bootee;

hose

verb

Definition of hose

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

See hose defined for English-language learners

Examples of hose in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of hose from the Web

Now, no one’s washing their car, or hosing down sidewalks — and there are fewer leaky pipes.

— rachel becker, The Verge, "Today wasn’t Day Zero in Cape Town, but the water crisis isn’t over," 11 May 2018
Using sprinklers to water or hosing plants down should be avoided.

— contributing writer, NOLA.com, "HGTV star has advice for new homeowners: slow down," 7 May 2018
But more than 12 hours later, crews were still hosing down the highway with power washers in an effort to remove the sticky mess.

— joseph a. gambardello, Philly.com, "Honey truck crash creates sticky mess on PHL feeder road," 24 Jan. 2018
Every spring tanker trucks rolled down our street, hosing down yards, trees and sidewalks with DDT.

— charles c. mann, WSJ, "‘Silent Spring & Other Writings’ Review: The Right and Wrong of Rachel Carson," 26 Apr. 2018
Lathrop is exactly 3 minutes into the speech, so not yet to the 955 wins or 35 conference titles or four state championships or the official who hosed him in Springfield.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Bud Lathrop, a bronze bust, and one last best chance to say "I love you." | The Kansas City Star," 21 Apr. 2018
The start of his shift usually involves a fair bit of cleaning, hosing down a portable public restroom in one of San Francisco’s grittiest neighborhoods.

— dominic fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF Tenderloin toilet monitor honored for life-saving actions," 19 Apr. 2018
Gray was hardly the only business partner who claimed to have been hosed by Shin.

— james vlahos, GQ, "The Mystery of the Killer Vacation," 18 Apr. 2018
Tag, who has been swimming since March, was led into the barn and hosed down so that the water in the pool wouldn’t come as a shock.

— steven goode, Courant Community, "Windsor Farm Relaunches Water Therapy Program To Rehab Horses," 14 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of hose

1889

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

HOSE Defined for English Language Learners

hose

noun

Definition of hose for English Language Learners

: a long, usually rubber tube that liquids or gases can flow through
hose : clothes (such as stockings, socks, and pantyhose) that are worn on the legs and feet

hose

verb

Definition of hose for English Language Learners

: to spray or wash (something) with water from a hose
: to cheat or trick (someone)

HOSE Defined for Kids

hose

noun \ ˈhōz \

Definition of hose for Students

plural hose or hoses

1 pl hose : stocking 1, sock

2 : a flexible tube for carrying fluid

hose

verb

Definition of hose for Students

hosed; hosing

: to spray, water, or wash with a hose

Can you hose off the car?

Learn More about hose

See words that rhyme with hose Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hose Spanish Central: Translation of hose Nglish: Translation of hose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hose for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hose

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hose

Definition of hose

Examples of hose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hose from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hose

hose Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

hose

Definition of hose

Examples of hose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hose from the Web

First Known Use of hose

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HOSE Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of hose for English Language Learners

hose

Definition of hose for English Language Learners

HOSE Defined for Kids

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