hoop

Meaning

Noun

1. A circular band of metal used to bind a barrel.
2. Any circular band or ring.
3. A circular band of metal, wood, or similar material used for forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.
4. A circle, or combination of circles, of thin whalebone, metal, or other elastic material, used for expanding the skirts of ladies' dresses; (hence, by extension) a hoop petticoat or hoop skirt.
5. A quart-pot; so called because originally bound with hoops, like a barrel. Also, a portion of the contents measured by the distance between the hoops.
6. (obsolete) An old measure of capacity, variously estimated at from one to four pecks.
7. The rim part of a basketball net.
8. The game of basketball.
9. A hoop earring.
10. A horizontal stripe on the jersey.
11. (slang) A jockey.
12. An obstacle that must be overcome in order to proceed.
13. Hooping (manipulation of and artistic movement or dancing with a hoop).

Verb

1. To bind or fasten using a hoop.
2. To clasp; to encircle; to surround.
3. (slang) To play basketball.

Verb

1. To utter a loud cry, or a sound imitative of the word, by way of call or pursuit; to shout.
2. To whoop, as in whooping cough.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/huːp/

Etymology

From Middle English hoop, hoope, from Old English hōp (“mound, raised land; in combination, circular object”), from Proto-Germanic *hōpą (“bend, bow, arch”) (compare Saterland Frisian Houp (“hoop”), Dutch hoep (“hoop”), Old Norse hóp (“bay, inlet”)), from Proto-Indo-European *kāb- (“to bend”) (compare Lithuanian kabė (“hook”), Old Church Slavonic кѫпъ (kǫpŭ, “hill, island”)). More at camp.