hoop

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. the metal ring that players throw the ball through in basketball.

n. the horizontal metal rim through which the ball must pass to score points in basketball.

“He practiced his aim by shooting the ball at the hoop for hours.”

“The ball circled the hoop twice before finally dropping through, securing the team's victory in the final seconds.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Sports American English · Informal

n. a casual name for the game of basketball.

n. a metonymic term for the game of basketball, typically used in plural form.

“Do you want to go to the park and play some hoops?”

“Growing up in the city, they spent every summer afternoon playing hoops at the local community courts.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a series of difficult or annoying things you must do to achieve something.

n. a figurative obstacle or bureaucratic requirement that must be satisfied to reach a goal; usually in the phrase 'jump through hoops'.

“I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my work visa.”

“The bank made us jump through hoops just to open a simple savings account, requiring endless paperwork and multiple interviews.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a type of earring that is shaped like a large circle.

n. a circular earring that passes through the earlobe, varying in diameter and thickness.

“She wore large gold hoops that brushed against her shoulders.”

“The fashion designer paired the minimalist outfits with oversized silver hoops to add a touch of geometric interest.”

C1 · Advanced Sports Slang · American English

v. to play the game of basketball.

v. to participate in a game of basketball; an informal intransitive use.

“We used to hoop every day after school until it got dark.”

“Despite his injury, he was eager to get back on the court and start hooping with his teammates again.”

C2 · Proficiency Technical · Formal

v. to put a ring around something or to fasten it with a band.

v. to bind or fasten something with a hoop; to encircle or surround.

“The workers had to hoop the crates securely before shipping them.”

“The ancient pillars were hooped with bronze bands to prevent the stone from cracking further under the weight of the roof.”