scoop

(sko͞op)

1. a. A shovellike utensil, usually having a deep curved dish and a short handle: a flour scoop.
   b. The amount that such a utensil can hold.
2. a. A thick-handled cuplike utensil for dispensing balls of ice cream or other semisoft food, often having a sweeping band in the cup that is levered by the thumb to free the contents.
   b. A portion of food gathered with this utensil.
3. A ladle; a dipper.
4. An implement for bailing water from a boat.
5. A narrow, spoon-shaped instrument for surgical extraction in cavities or cysts.
6. The bucket or shovel, as of a dredge or backhoe.
7. A hollow area; a cavity.
8. An opening, as on the body of a motor vehicle, by which a fluid is directed inward: “The [sports car] has . . . enough scoops and spoilers to get you a citation just standing still” (Mark Weinstein).
9. A scooping movement or action.
10. Informal An exclusive news story acquired by luck or initiative before a competitor.
11. Informal Current information or details: What's the scoop on the new neighbors?

1. To take up or dip into with or as if with a scoop.
2. To hollow out by digging.
3. To gather or collect swiftly and unceremoniously; grab: scoop up a handful of jelly beans.
4. Informal To top or outmaneuver (a competitor) in acquiring and publishing an important news story.

Related Forms:

• scoopˈer noun

• scoopˈfulˌ noun

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scoop

left to right: flour and ice cream scoops