A hoop is a circular ring made of wood, metal, plastic, or other materials. Basketball hoops are metal rings that nets hang from, ten feet above the court, and players score by shooting the ball through them. Gymnasts sometimes use hoops in rhythmic gymnastics routines. Hula hoops are plastic circles that spin around your waist when you move your hips just right.

You might see hoops holding together wooden barrels, or holding up the fabric of old-fashioned skirts called hoop skirts. In circuses, performers leap through flaming hoops, and trained animals might jump through hoops on command.

When someone says they had to jump through hoops, they mean they had to complete many difficult or annoying tasks to accomplish something. If getting permission to go on a field trip requires forms from your parents, your doctor, and your teacher, plus a special meeting, you might feel like you're jumping through hoops just to go.

People also shoot hoops (play basketball) or play HORSE (a basketball game where you copy each other's shots).