1 a large ring of plastic, wood or iron:
a barrel bound with iron hoops * hoop earrings (= in the shape of a hoop)
2 the ring that the players throw the ball through in the game of basketball in order to score points:
Let's shoot some hoops.
3 a large ring that was used as a children's toy in the past, or for animals or riders to jump through at a CIRCUS
4 a small arch made of metal or plastic, put into the ground:
croquet hoops * Grow lettuces under plastic stretched over wire hoops.
IDIOMS see JUMPv.
