scoop (sk p)n. 1. a. A shovellike utensil, usually having a deep curved dish and a short handle: a flour scoop. b. The amount that such a utensil can hold. 2. a. A thick-handled cuplike utensil for dispensing balls of ice cream or other semisoft food, often having a sweeping band in the cup that is levered by the thumb to free the contents. b. A portion of food gathered with this utensil. 3. A ladle; a dipper. 4. An implement for bailing water from a boat. 5. A narrow, spoon-shaped instrument for surgical extraction in cavities or cysts. 6. The bucket or shovel, as of a dredge or backhoe. 7. A hollow area; a cavity. 8. An opening, as on the body of a motor vehicle, by which a fluid is directed inward: "The [sports car] has . . . enough scoops and spoilers to get you a citation just standing still" (Mark Weinstein). 9. A scooping movement or action. 10. Informal An exclusive news story acquired by luck or initiative before a competitor. 11. Informal Current information or details: What's the scoop on the new neighbors? tr.v. scooped, scoop·ing, scoops 1. To take up or dip into with or as if with a scoop. 2. To hollow out by digging. 3. To gather or collect swiftly and unceremoniously; grab: scoop up a handful of jelly beans. 4. Informal To top or outmaneuver (a competitor) in acquiring and publishing an important news story. [Middle English scope, from Middle Dutch and Middle Low German sch  pe, bucket for bailing water.]scoop  er n.scoop ful n. |   left to right: flour and ice cream scoops |
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