hop

1 of 4

verb (1)

hopped; hopping

intransitive verb

1
: to move by a quick springy leap or in a series of leaps
also : to move as if by hopping
hop in the car
2
: to make a quick trip especially by air
3
: to set about doing something
usually used in the phrase hop to it

transitive verb

1
: to jump over
hop a fence
2
: to ride on
hopped a flight
also : to ride surreptitiously and without authorization
hop a freight train

hop

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: a short brisk leap especially on one leg
b
: bounce, rebound
shortstop scooped it up on the first hop
2
3
a
: a flight in an aircraft
b
: a short trip

hop

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
hops plural : the ripe dried female cone-like flower clusters of a north-temperate zone twining plant (Humulus lupulus) of the hemp family used especially to impart a bitter flavor to beer
2
plural hops : the perennial climbing bine from which hops are obtained that have 3- to 5-lobed leaves and inconspicuous flowers of which the pistillate ones are in scaly cone-like clusters

Illustration of hop

Illustration of hop
  • 3hop 2

hop

4 of 4

verb (2)

hopped; hopping

transitive verb

: to flavor with hops

Examples of hop in a Sentence

Verb (1) a rabbit hopped across the frozen grass the frog hopped back into the pond the bus stopped, a lone passenger hopped on, and the driver continued on his way Noun (1) back in those days taking someone to the school hop was a big deal she made it across the rocky creek in two hops
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Or hop straight to the recipe and bask in the praise from your holiday-table guests. Scott Hocker, theweek, 26 Nov. 2024 Available from 6 to 11 a.m., qualifying travelers simply hop on a free shuttle and store their luggage with the concierge before showering off. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
The recipe for its Featherweight Pale Ale has changed a handful of times with different hop and grain combinations and just won its 5th GABF medal. John Frank, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024 Samara Cyn – ‘The Ride Home’ Samara Cyn captivates with a unique blend of R&B and hip hop, crafting an intimate soundtrack for late-night reflections. Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hop 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English hoppen, from Old English hoppian

Noun (2)

Middle English hoppe, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German hopfo hop

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1572, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hop was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hop

Cite this Entry

“Hop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hop. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hop

1 of 4 verb
hopped; hopping
1
: to move by a quick springy leap or series of leaps
especially : to jump on one foot
2
: to jump over
hop a puddle
3
: to move or get aboard by or as if by hopping
hop a train
hop in the car
4
: to make a quick trip especially by air

hop

2 of 4 noun
1
a
: a short brisk leap especially on one leg
2
: dance entry 2 sense 3, ball
the junior hop
3
a
: a flight in an airplane
b
: a short trip

hop

3 of 4 noun
1
: a twining vine related to the mulberry and having leaves with lobes and flowers in cone-shaped catkins
2
plural : the ripe dried catkins of a hop used especially to give a bitter flavor to malt liquors

hop

4 of 4 verb
hopped; hopping
: to flavor with hops
Etymology

Verb

Old English hoppian "to leap, hop"

Noun

Middle English hoppe "the hop vine"; of Dutch origin

Medical Definition

hop

1 of 2 noun
1
: a twining plant (Humulus lupulus) of the hemp family with 3-lobed or 5-lobed leaves and inconspicuous flowers of which the pistillate ones are in cone-like clusters
2
hops plural : the ripe dried female cone-like flower clusters of a hop plant used especially to impart a bitter flavor to beer and also in medicine as a tonic

HOP

2 of 2 abbreviation
high oxygen pressure

More from Merriam-Webster on hop

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