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

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

Kate paired her swimsuit with oversized black sunglasses and dangling gold hoop earrings. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 11 July 2025

Shortly after taking the job, Wilcox oversaw the NCAA’s response to the federal government’s investigation into bribery allegations involving multiple college hoops programs. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 July 2025

Verb

The 6-foot-7 redshirt senior hooped at Boise State for three years, seeing action in 52 games for the Broncos from 2022 to 2024. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2025

Angel Reese isn’t a stranger to a Reebok sneaker, but her first shoe for actually hooping in is about to release soon. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 May 2025

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