noun

1. a circular band or ring for holding together the staves of a barrel, cask, etc.
2. anything like a hoop; specif.,
   1. a large, circular band rolled along the ground by children
   2. any of the rings of whalebone, steel, etc. forming the framework of a hoop skirt
   3. one of a pair of small bands that hold material taut for embroidery work
   4. ☆ the metal rim of the basket in basketball
   5. Croquet wicket
3. ☆ Slang basketball

Etymology: ME < OE hop, akin to Du hoep, OFris hop, prob. < IE *keub- < base *keu-, to bend, curve > Lith kab, a hook

transitive verb