Hoop
huːp
Definitions
2 meaningsA circular band made of wood, metal, or plastic, used for fastening, supporting, or playing with.
huːp
A circular band of stiff material.
The barrel was held together by metal hoops.
💡 Simply: Think of a circle, like the one you twirl around your waist, or the one you shoot a basketball through! A hoop is simply a ring of something.
👶 For kids: A ring, like the one you spin around your waist or the basketball net!
More Examples
She loved playing with a hula hoop in the garden.
The circus performer balanced on a large hoop during the show.
How It's Used
"The basketball player skillfully shot the ball through the hoop."
"The children played with a hula hoop in the park."
To bind or fasten with a hoop or hoops; to encircle.
huːp
To secure or encircle with a hoop or hoops.
The cooper hooped the barrel to prevent it from falling apart.
💡 Simply: To wrap something with a circle to hold it together or capture something.
👶 For kids: To put a ring around something.
More Examples
The metal supports were used to hoop the water tank.
The prisoners were hooped inside the walled courtyard.
How It's Used
"The cooper hooped the barrels tightly to prevent leakage."
"The company was hooped by its competitors."
Idioms & expressions
jump through hoops
To do a series of difficult or annoying things in order to get something you want.
"They made us jump through hoops just to get a simple permit."
From Middle English *hoop*, *hoop*, from Old English *hōp* ('hoop, band'). Related to Dutch *hoep*, German *Haufen* ('heap, pile').
Historically, hoops were crucial for constructing barrels and containers, and the word has been in use since Old English.
Memory tip
Imagine a circle you can walk through or throw a ball into.