hoop

1 of 2

noun

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 How to pronounce hoop (audio)
 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

Examples of hoop in a Sentence

Noun made Christmas garlands from hoops of red and green construction paper
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
To add even more decorations around your house, this basketball and basketball hoop garland adds some more festiveness. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025 There’s also a private freshwater pond, a putting green, a lighted tennis court that can be used for basketball, and a multi-purpose pavilion with an indoor sports court for shooting hoops or, with lifts, parking up to 26 cars. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
And the best basketball player hooping it up on the world stage, no matter what ESPN says. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025 Despite the rising tension, the two immediately joked it off as Kai changed the topic over to whether or not Smith can actually hoop. Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoop

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hoop was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoop. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on hoop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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