boom Definition

boom¹
noun

1. A deep resounding sound, like that made by a large drum or gun.

Thesaurus: roar, blast, blare, clap, crash, explosion, noise, reverberation.

verb

intr
boomed, booming
1. To make a deep resounding sound.

Thesaurus: roar, reverberate, thunder, resound, blare, crash.

Etymology: 15c as verb: probably imitating the sound.

Phrasal Verb: boom something out

To say it in a loud booming voice.

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boom²
noun

1. A sudden increase or growth in business, prosperity, activity, etc.

Thesaurus: increase, growth, rush, inflation, escalation, spurt, upsurge, upturn; Antonym: collapse, failure.
2. A period of such rapid growth or activity, etc.

verb, intr boomed, booming

1. Said especially of a business: to become rapidly and suddenly prosperous, active or busy.

Thesaurus: prosper, succeed, thrive, expand, grow, flourish, swell; Antonym: fail.
2. Said of a commodity, etc: to increase sharply in value.

Etymology: 19c, originally US: perhaps from boom¹.

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boom³
noun

1. naut.
A pole to which the bottom of a ship's sail is attached, keeping the sail stretched tight.
2. A heavy pole or chain, or a barrier of floating logs, etc across the entrance to a harbour or across a river.
3. cinema.TV.
A long pole with a microphone, camera or light attached to one end, allowing it to be held above the heads of people being filmed.

Etymology: 17c: Dutch, meaning ‘beam' or ‘pole'.