1. 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
   "They spent the afternoon playing hoops at the local park";
   - basketball, basketball game

1. A rigid circular band of metal or wood or other material used for holding or fastening or hanging or pulling
   "there was still a rusty iron hoop for tying a horse";
   - ring
    
2. Horizontal circular metal hoop supporting a net through which players try to throw the basketball
   "The player's shot swished cleanly through the basketball hoop";
   - basket, basketball hoop
    
3. A light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt
   "The hoop gave the dress its distinctive bell shape"
    
4. A small arch used as croquet equipment
   "The player skilfully hit the ball through the hoop";
   - wicket

1. Bind or fasten with a hoop
   "hoop vats"

Sounds like: hoop, whoops, wh

Type of: ball game, band, basketball equipment, court game, croquet equipment, encircle, frame, gird, girt, goal, skeletal frame, skeleton, underframe

Part of: barrel, cask, crinoline, hoopskirt, wagon wheel

Encyclopedia: Hoops, Arthur