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boom¹

(bm)

v. boomed, boom·ing, booms

v.intr.

1. To make a deep, resonant sound.

2. To grow, develop, or progress rapidly; flourish: Business is booming.

v.tr.

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.

1. A deep resonant sound, as of an explosion.

2. A time of economic prosperity.

3. A sudden increase, as in popularity.

[Middle English bomben, imitative of a loud noise.]

boomy adj.

boom²

(bm)

1. Nautical A spar extending usually from a mast to hold the foot, clew, or tack 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.

a. A barrier composed of a chain of floating logs, typically used to block the passage of boats or to arrest the downstream motion of logs in a log drive.

b. A floating barrier serving to catch debris or to contain an oil spill.

4. A long movable arm used to maneuver and support a microphone.

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.

tr.v. boomed, boom·ing, booms

To move or position using a crane: boomed the cargo onto the ship.

Idiom:

drop/lower the boom

To act suddenly and forcefully to repress a practice or reprimand an offender; crack down.

[Dutch, tree, pole, from Middle Dutch; see bheuə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

(click for a larger image)

boom²

contamination containment booms

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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