hook

The definition of a hook is a bent piece of material used for hanging things or catching fish, or something intended to get attention.

(noun)

An example of a hook is a metal piece hanging on the wall that you hang your coat on.
An example of a hook is an intriguing product ad that inspires you to learn more.

See hook in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a curved or bent piece of metal, wood, etc. used to catch, hold, or pull something; specif.,
1. a curved piece of wire or bone with a barbed end, for catching fish
2. a curved piece of metal, wood, etc. fastened to a wall or chain at one end, used to hang things on, raise things up, etc.: a coat hook
3. a small metal catch inserted in a loop, or eye, to fasten clothes together
4. Naut., Slang an anchor
a curved metal implement for cutting grain, etc.
something shaped like a hook; specif.,
1. a curving cape or headland: used in place names: Sandy Hook
2. a sharp bend in a stream
Origin: back-form. < hooker (sense )
a trap; snare
Informal something intended to attract attention or encourage involvement; specif., in popular music, a catchy, repeated phrase, verse, riff, etc.
1. the path of a hit or thrown ball that curves away to the left from a right-handed player or to the right from a left-handed player
2. a ball that follows such a path
Boxing a short, sharp blow delivered with the arm bent at the elbow
Music flag (sense )

Origin: ME < OE hoc, akin to hake, MDu hoec, ON hakr < IE base *keg-, peg for hanging

transitive verb

to attach or fasten with or as with a hook or hook and eye
to take hold of with a hook
to catch with or as with a hook
to attack with the horns, as a bull; gore
to make into the shape of a hook
☆ to make (a rug, wall hanging, etc.) by drawing strips of yarn or cloth with a hook through a canvas or burlap backing
to hit or throw (a ball) in a hook ()
Informal
1. to tempt or attract
2. to cause addiction to
3. to steal; snatch
Boxing to hit with a hook

intransitive verb

See hook in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A curved or sharply bent device, usually of metal, used to catch, drag, suspend, or fasten something else.
b. A fishhook.
Something shaped like a hook, especially:
a. A curved or barbed plant or animal part.
b. A short angled or curved line on a letter.
c. A sickle.
a. A sharp bend or curve, as in a river.
b. A point or spit of land with a sharply curved end.
A means of catching or ensnaring; a trap.
Slang
a. A means of attracting interest or attention; an enticement: a sales hook.
b. Music A catchy motif or refrain: “sugary hard rock melodies [and] ear candy hooks” (Boston Globe).
Sports
a. A short swinging blow in boxing delivered with a crooked arm.
b. The course of a ball that curves in a direction away from the dominant hand of the player propelling it, as to the left of a right-handed player.
c. A stroke that sends a ball on such a course.
d. A ball propelled on such a course.
e. In surfing, the lip of a breaking wave.
Baseball A curve ball.
Basketball A hook shot.

verb hooked, hook·ing, hooks

verb, transitive

a. To catch, suspend, or connect with a hook.
b. Informal To snare.
c. Slang To steal; snatch. See Synonyms at steal.
To fasten by or as if by a hook.
To pierce or gore with or as if with a hook.
Slang
a. To take strong hold of; captivate: a novel that hooked me on the very first page.
b. To cause to become addicted.
To make (a rug) by looping yarn through canvas with a type of hook.
Sports
a. To hit with a hook in boxing.
b. To hit (a golf ball) in a hook.
Baseball To pitch (a ball) with a curve.
Basketball To shoot (a ball) in a hook shot.
Sports To impede the progress of (an opponent in ice hockey) by holding or restraining the player with one's stick, in violation of the rules.