boom
1 (bōōm)
[Middle English bomben, imitative of a loud noise.]
verb: boomed, boom·ing, booms.
intransitive verb
- To make a deep, resonant sound.
- To grow, develop, or progress rapidly; flourish: Business is booming.
transitive verb
- To utter or give forth with a deep, resonant sound: a field commander booming out orders.
- To cause to grow or flourish; boost.
noun
- A deep resonant sound, as of an explosion.
- A time of economic prosperity.
- A sudden increase, as in popularity.
boom
2 (bōōm)
[Dutch, tree, pole, from Middle Dutch.]
noun
- Nautical A long spar extending from a mast to hold or extend the foot of a sail.
- A long pole extending upward at an angle from the mast of a derrick to support or guide objects being lifted or suspended.
- A barrier composed of a chain of floating logs enclosing other free-floating logs, typically used to catch floating debris or to obstruct passage.
- A floating barrier serving to contain an oil spill.
- A long movable arm used to maneuver and support a microphone.
- A spar that connects the tail surfaces and the main structure of an airplane.
- 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)
idioms
- drop the boom
- To act suddenly and forcefully to repress a practice or reprimand an offender; crack down.
