1
a
: a large ladle
b
: a deep shovel or similar implement for digging, dipping, or shoveling
c
: a usually hemispherical utensil for dipping food
d
: a small spoon-shaped utensil or instrument for cutting or gouging
2
a
: the action of scooping
b
: the amount contained by a scoop
3
a
: a hollow place : cavity
b
: a part forming or surrounding an opening for channeling a fluid (such as air) into a desired path
4
a
: information especially of immediate interest
5
: a rounded and usually low-cut neckline on a woman's garment

called also scoop neck

scoop

2 of 2

verb

scooped; scooping; scoops

transitive verb

1
a
: to take out or up with or as if with a scoop : dip
b
: to pick up quickly or surreptitiously with or as if with a sweep of the hand
often used with up
scoop up the treat
2
: to empty by ladling out the contents
3
: to make hollow : dig out
4
: beat sense 5a(2)
scooped the rival newspaper
scooper noun

Examples of scoop in a Sentence

Noun a backhoe with a large scoop The story turned out to be the political scoop of the year. She always knows the scoop.
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.
Noun
Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025 But earlier this month, O’Donoghue landed another scoop in a very personal interview with U.S. leader Donald Trump. Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
This fruit is easy to prepare—simply cut it in half and scoop out the flesh. Lauren O'Connor, Health, 5 Aug. 2025 But after reverse pulling Deep for six and somehow scooping a Siraj yorker for six in his 43 off 38 balls, Duckett attempted the right-handed pull again but edged to Dhruv Jurel. Paul Newman, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scoop

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scope, from Middle Dutch schope; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape — more at shape

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scoop was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoop. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
a
: a large shovel (as for shoveling coal)
b
: a tool or utensil shaped like a shovel for digging into a soft substance and lifting out a portion
c
: a round utensil with a handle for dipping out soft food (as ice cream)
d
: a small tool for cutting or gouging
2
: an act or the action of scooping : a motion made with or as if with a scoop
3
a
: the amount held by a scoop
a scoop of ice cream
b
: a hole made by scooping
4
a
: information of immediate interest
what's the scoop
b
: the reporting of a news story ahead of competitors

scoop

2 of 2 verb
1
: to take out or up with or as if with a scoop
2
: to make hollow
3
: to report a news story ahead of
scooper noun

Medical Definition

: a spoon-shaped surgical instrument used in extracting various materials (as pus or foreign bodies)

More from Merriam-Webster on scoop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!