Definition of 'boom'

Word Frequency

boom (buːm )

Word forms: plural , 3rd person singular present tense booms , present participle booming , past tense , past participle boomed

1. countable noun

If there is a boom in the economy, there is an increase in economic activity, for example in the amount of things that are being bought and sold.

An economic boom followed, especially in housing and construction.

The 1980s were indeed boom years.

...the cycle of boom and bust which has damaged us for 40 years.

2. countable noun

A boom in something is an increase in its amount, frequency, or success.

The boom in the sport's popularity has meant more calls for stricter safety regulations.

Public transport has not been able to cope adequately with the travel boom.

3. verb

If the economy or a business is booming, the amount of things being bought or sold is increasing.

By 1988 the economy was booming.

Sales are booming.

It has a booming tourist industry.

4. countable noun

On a boat, the boom is the long pole which is attached to the bottom of the sail and to the mast and which you move when you want to alter the direction in which you are sailing.

5. countable noun

A boom is a large floating barrier that is used for stopping oil that has spilled from spreading.

6. verb

When something such as someone's voice, a cannon, or a big drum booms, it makes a loud, deep sound that lasts for several seconds.

'Ladies,' boomed Helena, without a microphone, 'we all know why we're here tonight.'

Thunder boomed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain.

Synonyms: bang, roll, crash, blast More Synonyms of boom

Boom out means the same as boom.

Music boomed out from loudspeakers.

A megaphone boomed out, 'This is the police.'

He turned his sightless eyes their way and boomed out a greeting.

Boom is also a noun.

The stillness of night was broken by the boom of a cannon.

Synonyms: bang, report, shot, crash More Synonyms of boom

7. See also baby boom

Phrasal verbs:

boom out

More Synonyms of boom

Word Frequency

boom1 (buːm )

verb

to make a deep prolonged resonant sound, as of thunder or artillery fire

to prosper or cause to prosper vigorously and rapidly

business boomed

noun

a deep prolonged resonant sound

the boom of the sea

the cry of certain animals, esp the bittern

a period of high economic growth characterized by rising wages, profits, and prices, full employment, and high levels of investment, trade, and other economic activity

Compare depression (sense 5)

any similar period of high activity

the activity itself

a baby boom

Word origin of 'boom'

C15: perhaps from Dutch bommen, of imitative origin

Word Frequency

boom2 (buːm )

noun

1. nautical

a spar to which a sail is fastened to control its position relative to the wind

a beam or spar pivoting at the foot of the mast of a derrick, controlling the distance from the mast at which a load is lifted or lowered

a pole, usually extensible, carrying an overhead microphone and projected over a film or television set

a barrier across a waterway, usually consisting of a chain of connected floating logs, to confine free-floating logs, protect a harbour from attack, etc

the area so barred off

Word origin of 'boom'

C16: from Dutch boom tree, beam

Word Frequency

boom1 in American English (bum ; bo̅om)

verb intransitive

to make a deep, hollow, resonant sound

verb transitive

to speak or indicate with such a sound

usually with out

the clock boomed out the hour

noun

a booming sound, as of thunder, heavy guns, etc.

the resonant cry of certain animals, as the bullfrog

Derived forms

boomer1 (ˈboomer)

noun

Word origin of 'boom'

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

Word Frequency

boom2 in American English (bum ; bo̅om)

noun

a spar extending from a mast to hold the bottom of a sail outstretched

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

a barrier of chains or poles to obstruct navigation

4. US , Lumbering

a barrier across a river or around an area of water to prevent floating logs from dispersing

the area in which logs are thus confined

5. Aeronautics

a retractable metal tube for transferring fuel from a tanker to another plane in flight

verb transitive

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

verb intransitive US

to go rapidly along; move with speed or vigor

usually with along

Idioms:

lower the boom

Word origin of 'boom'

Du, a tree, beam, pole; same word ult. as beam; (sense 2) from use of ship's boom for this purpose

Word Frequency

boom3 in American English (bum ; bo̅om)

verb intransitive

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

business boomed

verb transitive

to promote vigorously; popularize

they boomed him for mayor

noun

swift, vigorous growth or development

a period of business prosperity, industrial expansion, etc.

a sudden favorable turn in business or political prospects

adjective

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

Word origin of 'boom'

< ? boom2 vi.; later assoc. with boom1

Word Frequency

boom in Finance (bum)

Word forms: (regular plural) booms

noun

( Finance : Economics )

A financial boom is an increase in economic activity with rapid growth and rising prices.

China's economic boom has produced a growing hunger for energy that only foreign supplies can satisfy.

Investment advisers are predicting a boom in oil stocks because an oil shortage is developing.

A financial boom is an increase in economic activity with rapid growth and rising prices.

boom-bust cycle, bust

Example sentences containing 'boom'

The overall electronic book business is booming.

Times, Sunday Times (2010)

This means women are going to miss out on the boom areas of the future.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

The boom of twelve cannon bounced back and forth from the surrounding slopes.

Philip Marsden The Barefoot Emperor: An Ethiopian Tragedy (2007)

This does not mean that a boom period will automatically be followed by a crash.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

We will continue to have boom and bust.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

The way we form and end relationships has also fuelled the boom.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Some economists forecast a downturn in the foreign investment behind the recent economic boom.

Times, Sunday Times (2008)

Many people were warning of the lopsided shape of growth throughout his boom years.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

The bonanza was led by a construction boom that has now bust.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Were they making us aware of the cycle of boom and bust?

Times, Sunday Times (2008)

New consoles typically cause a frenzy of media coverage and a boom in business.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

It is now a boom area which has not yet reached its peak.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

The housing boom gave people the potential to withdraw equity in properties that suddenly looked like gold mines.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

In summer, they make an astonishing booming sound that can be heard a mile away.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

BRITAIN'S budget hotel chains are booming - and taking on hundreds of apprentices this year.

The Sun (2013)

The percentage deficit matched records set in the 1980s boom.

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

The cause of this boom has been the Chinese economic miracle.

Times, Sunday Times (2012)

The dismantled keel, boom and mast were also loaded on the vehicle.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

It wasn't that long ago that the economy was booming.

Times, Sunday Times (2012)

His headphones are around his neck, and his sound boom probes the air like an antenna.

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

Word Lists

Economics terms

Trends of 'boom'

Translations for 'boom'

British English: boom NOUN
If there is a boom in the economy, there is an increase in the number of things that people are buying.An economic boom followed, especially in housing and construction.

Brazilian Portuguese: crescimento rápido
Chinese: > 好景气经济
European Spanish: boom
French: boom
German: Boom
Italian: boom
Japanese: 好景気
Korean: 호황
Portuguese: crescimento rápido
Spanish: boom

British English: boom VERB
If the economy or a business is booming, the amount of things being bought or sold is increasing.By 1988 the economy was booming.

Brazilian Portuguese: disparar
Chinese: > 繁荣经济
European Spanish: experimentar un boom
French: prospérer
German: boomen
Italian: andare a gonfie vele
Japanese: 景気上昇する
Korean: 호황을 맞다
Portuguese: disparar
Spanish: experimentar un boom