hoop

/hup/
noun
  1. A circular band or ring, often made of metal, plastic, or wood.
    • The barrel was held together by a metal hoop.
    • She wore a large hoop in her ear.
    • The child rolled a plastic hoop across the yard.
  2. The circular metal rim attached to a backboard in basketball, through which players try to throw the ball to score.
    • She practiced shooting free throws at the hoop in the driveway.
    • He jumped high and dunked the ball through the hoop.
    • The basketball swished through the hoop for three points.
  3. A large ring used in gymnastics or as a toy for rolling or jumping through.
    • At the circus, the lion jumped through a flaming hoop.
    • Kids love to play with a hula hoop in the park.
    • The gymnast spun the hoop around her waist.
  4. A circular arch or frame, especially one used in hoop skirts or for embroidery.
    • She stretched the fabric over an embroidery hoop.
    • He used a wooden hoop to hold the tapestry taut.
    • The historical dress had a wide hoop under the skirt.
verb
  1. To surround or bind with a hoop or hoops.
    • She learned to hoop the frame tightly for the drum.
    • The cooper hooped the barrel with iron bands.
    • They hooped the wooden tub to keep it from leaking.
  2. To make a hoop shape; to curve into a circle.
    • The metal rod was hooped to form a handle.
    • The blacksmith hooped the iron for the wagon wheel.
    • He hooped the wire into a perfect circle.
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