hoop

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

hoop /hup, hʊp/   n. [countable]

1. a circular band or ring, as one of metal or wood.
2. Building such a band for holding together the sides of a container.
3. • the metal ring from which a basketball net is suspended, or the ring and net together.

v. [~ + object]

4. to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hoop  (ho̅o̅p, hŏŏp), n. 

1. a circular band or ring of metal, wood, or other stiff material.
2. Building such a band for holding together the staves of a cask, tub, etc.
3. a large ring of iron, wood, plastic, etc., used as a plaything for a child to roll along the ground.
4. a circular or ringlike object, part, figure, etc.
5. Jewelry the shank of a finger ring.
6. Games [Croquet.] a wicket.
7. Clothing a circular band of stiff material used to expand and display a woman's skirt.
8. Clothing See hoop skirt. 
9. [Basketball Informal.]
   • the metal ring from which the net is suspended;
     rim.
   • the metal ring and net taken together;
     the basket.
   • the game of basketball.
10. a decorative band, as around a mug or cup.
11. Building, Metallurgy See hoop iron. 

v.t. 

12. to bind or fasten with or as if with a hoop or hoops.
13. to encircle;
    surround.

• 1125–75; Middle English hope, hoop, late Old English hōp; cognate with Dutch hoep

hoop′less, adj. 
hoop′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hoop / huːp/ noun

1. a rigid circular band of metal or wood
2. something resembling this
3. a band of iron that holds the staves of a barrel or cask together
4. a child's toy shaped like a hoop and rolled on the ground or whirled around the body
5. any of the iron arches through which the ball is driven
6. a light curved frame to spread out a skirt
7. (as modifier): a hoop skirt, a hoop petticoat
8. the round metal frame to which the net is attached to form the basket
9. a large ring through which performers or animals jump
10. go through the hoop, be put through the hoop ⇒ to be subjected to an ordeal

verb

1. (transitive) to surround with or as if with a hoop

Etymology: Old English hōp; related to Dutch hoep, Old Norse hōp bay, Lithuanian kabẽ hook

hooped adjective

hoop / huːp/ noun , verb

1. a variant spelling of whoop