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

• beat
• bilk
• bleed
• cheat
• chisel
• chouse
• con
• cozen
• defraud
• diddle
• do
• do in
• euchre
• fiddle
• fleece
• flimflam
• gaff
• hustle
• mulct
• nobble [British slang]
• pluck
• ream
• rip off
• rook
• screw
• shake down
• short
• shortchange
• skin
• skunk
• squeeze
• stick
• stiff
• sting
• sucker
• swindle
• thimblerig
• victimize

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

Accessories can make CPAPs more usable, such as snug cushion covers and stands that hold the CPAP hose above the head and out of the way. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024

An integrated 12-volt electric pump sends water through a 10-ft (3-m) hose and out of that head at a maximum pressure of 50 psi (3.4 bar). —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2024

Verb

Both people had to wait about 30 minutes for rescue personnel to hoist them out and hose them down. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 26 Oct. 2024

Once there, the investigators realized that it had been hosed down. —Heraldo Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2013

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

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