hoops

hoop  (hp, hp)

n.

1. A circular band of metal or wood put around a cask or barrel to bind the staves together.

2. A large wooden, plastic, or metal ring, especially one used as a plaything or for trained animals to jump through.

3. One of the lightweight circular supports for a hoop skirt.

4. A circular, ringlike earring.

5. One of a pair of circular wooden or metal frames used to hold material taut for embroidery or similar needlework.

6. Basketball

a. The basket.

b. A field goal: hit a big hoop.

c. also hoops The game of basketball.

7. Sports A croquet wicket.

tr.v. hooped, hoop·ing, hoops

1. To hold together or support with or as if with a hoop.

2. To encircle.

Idiom:

jump/go through the hoop

To undergo a rigorous trial or examination.

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[Middle English hop.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

hoops - a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop basketball, basketball game basketball shot - throwing the basketball toward the hoop; "his shot hit the rim and bounced out" jump shot, jumper - (basketball) a player releases the basketball at the high point of a jump rebound - the act of securing possession of the rebounding basketball after a missed shot jump ball - (basketball) the way play begins or resumes when possession is disputed; an official tosses the ball up between two players who jump in an effort to tap it to a teammate fast break - (basketball) a rapid dash to get a shot as soon as possible after taking possession of the ball dribbling, dribble - the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks double dribble - an illegal dribble in basketball (the player uses both hands to dribble or the player starts to dribble a second time after coming to a stop) court game - an athletic game played on a court tap-off, tip-off - the act of starting a basketball game with a jump ball professional basketball - playing basketball for money assist - (sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play basketball play - a play executed by a basketball team technical foul, technical - (basketball) a foul that can be assessed on a player or a coach or a team for unsportsmanlike conduct; does not usually involve physical contact during play backboard, basketball backboard - a raised vertical board with basket attached; used to play basketball; "he banked the shot off the backboard" basketball court - the court on which basketball is played basketball equipment - sports equipment used in playing basketball home court - (basketball) the court where the host team plays its home games rim - (basketball) the hoop from which the net is suspended; "the ball hit the rim and bounced off" paint, key - (basketball) a space (including the foul line) in front of the basket at each end of a basketball court; usually painted a different color from the rest of the court; "he hit a jump shot from the top of the key"; "he dominates play in the paint" center - (basketball) the person who plays center on a basketball team half - one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval hack - kick on the arms dunk - make a dunk shot, in basketball; "He dunked the ball" slam-dunk - make a slam dunk; shoot a basketball in a slam dunk