Hoops: meaning, definitions and examples

General term for the sport of basketball, often used in informal contexts to refer to the entire sport or the act of playing it.

• We're playing hoops at the gym tonight.
• He's been into hoops since high school.

Specific term for the physical object used in the sport of basketball, including the rim, net, and backboard.

• The basketball hoop in our driveway needs repair.
• He dunked the ball through the basketball hoop.

Refers to the circular, metallic rim of a basketball hoop. It can also mean a circular band worn as jewelry, so context is important.

• The ball bounced off the ring and out.
• She received a beautiful ring for her birthday.

Used to describe circular, ring-like objects or in sports to refer to a basketball game.

• The kids enjoyed playing with the colorful hoops in the playground
• He spent his Saturday night shooting hoops with friends

Used for a physical test or training involving a series of obstacles to navigate. It can also describe a challenging situation in life that requires navigating multiple difficulties.

• The military recruits had to complete a tough obstacle course as part of their training
• Life can sometimes feel like an obstacle course with new challenges every day

Used to describe a situation where someone has to go through a lot of complicated or difficult procedures to achieve something, often used in a negative or frustrating context.

• Getting a visa requires jumping through hoops with all the paperwork and interviews
• They made him jump through hoops just to get a simple refund