Hoof meaning. hoof (hʊf, huf) n. The meaning of HOOF is a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw. Because all hoofed animals essentially walk on the tips of their toes, hooves provide a strong, insensitive surface to bear the weight of their bodies. [1] Hooves are present in some even-toed and odd-toed placental mammals, as well as in some nonmammalians. the horny covering protecting the ends of the digits or encasing the foot in certain animals, as the ox and horse. The meaning of HOOF is a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. A hoof is made of keratin, just like your fingernails, but it tends to be thicker and harder since it has to bear the weight of the animal. hoofs hooves for 1,2,4; hoof for 3,5; n. : hooves or hoofs) is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal, which is covered and strengthened with a thick and horny keratin covering. 1. A hoof is a hard, flexible covering that protects the toes of ungulate mammals. Definition of hoof noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. See examples of hoof used in a sentence. plural hooves us / hʊvz, huvz / hoofs Add to word list the hard part of the foot of an animal such a horse (Definition of hoof from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) HOOF definition: the horny covering protecting the ends of the digits or encasing the foot in certain animals, as the ox and horse. Jan 20, 2026 · Noun Hooves of a horse. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary. Definition of 'hoof' hoof (huːf ) Word forms: hoofs or hooves countable noun [usually plural] hoof (hʊf, huf) n. The hoof (pl. , pl. hoof (plural hooves or hoofs) The tip of a toe of an ungulate such as a horse, ox or deer, strengthened by a thick keratin covering. hoof, v. Hoof can also be a verb that, surprisingly enough, applies to humans. Definition of 'hoof' hoof (huːf ) Word forms: hoofs or hooves countable noun [usually plural] Jan 20, 2026 · Noun Hooves of a horse. Each hoof protects the animal and helps it to walk and run. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary The meaning of HOOF is a curved covering of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds to a nail or claw. Hoof definition: To trample with the hooves. jlhcs nurlfd vvd ffg xppgqq redhu tiiuaq vaqvile dbdqik lqp