Hoop

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hoop

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

hoop  /huːp/

Definition

As a noun: a circular band or ring, typically of metal or wood; the circular metal rim of a basketball net through which players throw the ball; one of the circular iron rings driven over the staves of a barrel or cask; a large ring used as a child's toy or in hoop-rolling. As a verb: to bind or encircle with hoops; to throw through a hoop (basketball informal).

Plain meaning

A hoop is a circular ring — the kind that holds barrel staves together, that children roll as a toy, or that hangs from a basketball backboard for players to throw through. In basketball, scoring is often called going through the hoop or shooting hoops. The phrase to jump through hoops means to go through many tedious obstacles to achieve something.

Register

Neutral across different contexts. Hoop is used in sporting, craft, children's play, and everyday metaphorical contexts. The figurative phrase jump through hoops is idiomatic and slightly negative — it implies that the hoops are unnecessary or absurd obstacles.