boom

The definition of a boom is a loud deep sound that is often very surprising.

(noun)

An example of boom is the sound a car makes when it backfires or the sound a balloon makes when it pops.

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See boom in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to make a deep, hollow, resonant sound

Origin: ME bummen, to hum; like Du bommen, Ger bummen, orig. echoic

transitive verb

to speak or indicate with such a sound: usually with out: the clock boomed out the hour

noun

  1. a booming sound, as of thunder, heavy guns, etc.
  2. the resonant cry of certain animals, as the bullfrog

Related Forms:

noun

  1. a spar extending from a mast to hold the bottom of a sail outstretched
  2. Origin: from use of ship's boom for this purpose

    a long beam extending as from an upright to lift or carry something and guide it as needed: the boom of a derrick, a microphone boom
  3. a barrier of chains or poles to obstruct navigation
  4. Lumbering
    1. a barrier across a river or around an area of water to prevent floating logs from dispersing
    2. the area in which logs are thus confined
  5. Aeron. a retractable metal tube for transferring fuel from a tanker to another plane in flight

Origin: Du, a tree, beam, pole; same word ult. as beam

transitive verb

to stretch out (sails) as with a boom so as to take maximum advantage of a wind abaft the beam and hence make speed

intransitive verb

to go rapidly along; move with speed or vigor: usually with along

intransitive verb

to increase suddenly in size, importance, activity, etc.; undergo swift, vigorous growth; flourish: business boomed

Origin: < ? boomvi.; later assoc. with boom

transitive verb

to promote vigorously; popularize: they boomed him for mayor

noun

  1. swift, vigorous growth or development
  2. a period of business prosperity, industrial expansion, etc.
  3. a sudden favorable turn in business or political prospects

adjective

of, characteristic of, or resulting from a boom in business, etc.

See boom in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb boomed, boom·ing, booms
verb, intransitive
  1. To make a deep, resonant sound.
  2. To grow, develop, or progress rapidly; flourish: Business is booming.
verb, transitive
  1. To utter or give forth with a deep, resonant sound: a field commander booming out orders.
  2. To cause to grow or flourish; boost.
noun
  1. A deep resonant sound, as of an explosion.
  2. A time of economic prosperity.
  3. A sudden increase, as in popularity.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bomben, imitative of a loud noise

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noun
  1. Nautical A long spar extending from a mast to hold or extend the foot of a sail.
  2. A long pole extending upward at an angle from the mast of a derrick to support or guide objects being lifted or suspended.
  3. a. A barrier composed of a chain of floating logs enclosing other free-floating logs, typically used to catch floating debris or to obstruct passage.
    b. A floating barrier serving to contain an oil spill.
  4. A long movable arm used to maneuver and support a microphone.
  5. a. A spar that connects the tail surfaces and the main structure of an airplane.
    b. A long hollow tube attached to a tanker aircraft, through which fuel flows to another aircraft being refueled in flight.
transitive verb boomed, boom·ing, booms
To move or position using a crane: “The renegade logs somehow escaped while . . . the logs were boomed up into the mile-long rafts that ply these channels” (Jack Weatherford).

Origin:

Origin: Dutch, tree, pole

Origin: , from Middle Dutch; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots

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