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 [usually singular]

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 [usually singular]

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. [+ in]

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.

When the economy is booming, people buy new cars. [VERB]

Sales are booming. [VERB]

It has a booming tourist industry. [VERB-ing]

4. countable noun [usually singular]

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.' [VERB with quote]

Thunder boomed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain. [VERB preposition/adverb]

[Also VERB]

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

Boom out means the same as boom.

Music boomed out from loudspeakers. [VERB PARTICLE preposition/adverb]

A megaphone boomed out, 'This is the police.' [VERB PARTICLE with quote]

He turned his sightless eyes their way and boomed out a greeting. [VERB PARTICLE noun]

[Also VERB PARTICLE]

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

Video: pronunciation of 'boom'

Word Frequency

boom in British 1

(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

boom in British 2

(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

boom in American 1

(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

boomer (ˈboomer)

noun

Word origin of 'boom'

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

Word Frequency

boom in American 2

(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

boom in American 3

(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'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

But there are not nearly enough in booming areas where new properties are most needed. The Sun (2016)The only sound is the boom of artillery and the only signs of life are bands of stray cats. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Employment has boomed and our growth is the best in the West. The Sun (2016)It used to be that advertisements sounded more booming than the programmes between them, causing viewers to reach for the remote. Times, Sunday Times (2016)At some stage the long housing boom has to come to an end, given the expected pressure on consumer spending next year. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The number, and size, of international takeovers and mergers is also booming. Times, Sunday Times (2016)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)This does not mean that a boom period will automatically be followed by a crash. Times, Sunday Times (2014)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)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)