boom

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)

CIDE DICTIONARY

boom, n. [D. boom tree, pole, beam, bar. See Beam.].

•  A long pole or spar, run out for the purpose of extending the bottom of a particular sail; as, the jib boom, the studding-sail boom, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  A long spar or beam, projecting from the mast of a derrick, from the outer end of which the body to be lifted is suspended.  [1913 Webster]
•  A pole with a conspicuous top, set up to mark the channel in a river or harbor.  [1913 Webster]
•  A strong chain cable, or line of spars bound together, extended across a river or the mouth of a harbor, to obstruct navigation or passage.  [1913 Webster]
•  A line of connected floating timbers stretched across a river, or inclosing an area of water, to keep saw logs, etc., from floating away.  [1913 Webster]

Boom iron, one of the iron rings on the yards through which the studding-sail booms traverse. -- The booms, that space on the upper deck of a ship between the foremast and mainmast, where the boats, spare spars, etc., are stowed. Totten.

boom, v. t. 

 To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.  [1913 Webster]

boom, v. i. [Of imitative origin; cf. OE. bommen to hum, D. bommen to drum, sound as an empty barrel, also W. bwmp a hollow sound; aderyn y bwmp, the bird of the hollow sound, i. e., the bittern. Cf. Bum, Bump, v. i., Bomb, v. i.].

•  To cry with a hollow note; to make a hollow sound, as the bittern, and some insects.  [1913 Webster]

  "At eve the beetle boometh
  Athwart the thicket lone."  [1913 Webster]
•  To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon.  [1913 Webster]

  "Alarm guns booming through the night air."  [1913 Webster]
•  To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press of sail, before a free wind.  [1913 Webster]

  "She comes booming down before it."  [1913 Webster]
•  To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular favor; to go on rushingly.  [1913 Webster]

boom, n. 

•  A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry of the bittern; a booming.  [1913 Webster]
•  A strong and extensive advance, with more or less noisy excitement; -- applied colloquially or humorously to market prices, the demand for stocks or commodities and to political chances of aspirants to office; as, a boom in the stock market; a boom in coffee.  [1913 Webster]

boom, v. t. 

 To cause to advance rapidly in price; as, to boom railroad or mining shares; to create a “boom” for; as to boom Mr. C. for senator.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

boom, n. & v.
--n. a deep resonant sound.
--v.intr. make or speak with a boom.

boom, n. & v.
--n. a period of prosperity or sudden activity in commerce.
--v.intr. (esp. of commercial ventures) be suddenly prosperous or successful.

Idiom

boom town a town undergoing sudden growth due to a boom.

Derivative

boomlet n.

boom, n.
1 Naut. a pivoted spar to which the foot of a sail is attached, allowing the angle of the sail to be changed.
2 a long pole over a film or television set, carrying microphones and other equipment.
3 a floating barrier across the mouth of a harbour or river.

Etymology

Du., = BEAM n.

THESAURUS

boom

Carling float, access, accession, accretion, accrual, accrue, accruement, accumulate, accumulation, addition, advance, aggrandizement, amplification, appreciate, appreciation, arch dam, ascent, augmentation, awake the dead, backfire, backstop, ball the jack, balloon, ballooning, balsa, balsa raft, bamboo curtain, bang, bank, bar, bark, barrage, barrel, barrier, batten, bawl, be reflected, be sent back, beam, bear-trap dam, beaver dam, bellow, birr, blare, blast, blast the ear, blat, bloat, bloating, bloom, blossom, blowout, blowup, blubber, board, bob, bombilate, bombinate, boom, booming, booming economy, boost, bottoming out, bounce back, bowl along, bray, breakwater, breastwork, breathe, breed, breeze, breeze along, brick wall, broaden, broadening, brush, buffer, buildup, bulkhead, bull market, bulwark, bum, buoy, burgeon, burgeoning, burr, burst, business cycle, business fluctuations, bust, buzz, cackle, cannonade, cant hook, cast loose, chant, chirp, clap, clap on ratlines, claw bar, clear hawse, clip, cofferdam, coo, cooling off, cork, crack, crank, crash, crescendo, crisis, crow, crowbar, cut along, cut loose, dam, deafen, defense, depression, detonation, develop, development, dike, din, discharge, ditch, downturn, drawl, drone, earthwork, echo, echo back, economic cycle, economic expansion, economic growth, edema, elevation, embankment, enlargement, exclaim, expanding economy, expansion, explode, explosion, extension, fatten, fence, fill the air, flare, flash, fleet, flit, float, flood, flourish, flower, flute, fly, fly low, foot, fulguration, fulmination, gain, gain strength, gasp, gate, get ahead, go fast, go up, gravity dam, greatening, groin, grow, grow fat, growl, growling, growth, grumble, grumbling, grunt, gush, handspike, haul, haul down, heave, heave apeak, heave round, heave short, high growth rate, highball, hike, hiss, hum, hydraulic-fill dam, increase, increment, inflation, intensify, iron crow, iron curtain, jam, jetty, jimmy, jump, kedge, keen, land-office business, lay, lay aloft, leap, leaping weir, levee, lever, life buoy, life preserver, life raft, lilt, limb, log, logjam, low, make knots, market expansion, marlinespike, milldam, moat, mole, mound, mount, mounting, multiplication, multiply, mumble, murmur, mutter, nip, outrigger, outstrip the wind, pant, parapet, peak, peaking, peal, peavey, pedal, pinch bar, pipe, pontoon, portcullis, pour it on, prize, productiveness, profitability, progress, proliferate, proliferation, prosper, prosperity, prosperousness, pry, purr, raft, raise, rampart, ratline down, rattle the windows, reboation, rebound, recession, recovery, reecho, rend the air, rend the ears, report, resonate, resound, resounding, return, reverberate, reverberation, ring, rip, ripping bar, rise, roadblock, roar, roaring trade, rock the sky, rock-fill dam, roll, rumble, rumbling, run up, scorch, scream, screech, seawall, send back, shoot up, shriek, shutter dam, sibilate, sigh, sing, sizzle, skim, slam, slowdown, slump, smash, snap, snarl, snort, snowball, snowballing, sob, sound, spar, spar down, speed, split the eardrums, split the ears, spread, squall, squawk, squeal, startle the echoes, stone wall, storm along, stream the log, strengthen, stun, surfboard, surge, sweep, swell, swelling, tear, tear along, thrive, thrum, thunder, thunder along, thundering, traverse a yard, treadle, trumpet, tumescence, twang, unlash, up, upping, upsurge, upswing, uptrend, upturn, wail, wall, warble, warp, wax, waxing, weir, wham, whine, whir, whisk, whisper, whiz, wicket dam, widen, widening, work, wrecking bar, yap, yawp, yell, yelp, zing, zip, zoom

ROGET THESAURUS

boom

Hindrance

N hindrance, prevention, preclusion, obstruction, stoppage, embolus, embolism, infarct, interruption, interception, interclusion, hindrance, impedition, retardment, retardation, embarrassment, oppilation, coarctation, stricture, restriction, restraint, inhibition, blockade, interference, interposition, obtrusion, discouragement, discountenance, impediment, let, obstacle, obstruction, knot, knag, check, hitch, contretemps, screw loose, grit in the oil, bar, stile, barrier, turnstile, turnpike, gate, portcullis, beaver dam, trocha, barricade, wall, dead wall, sea wall, levee breakwater, groyne, bulkhead, block, buffer, stopper, boom, dam, weir, burrock, drawback, objection, stumbling-block, stumbling-stone, lion in the path, snag, snags and sawyers, encumbrance, incumbrance, clog, skid, shoe, spoke, drag, drag chain, drag weight, stay, stop, preventive, prophylactic, load, burden, fardel, onus, millstone round one's neck, impedimenta, dead weight, lumber, pack, nightmare, Ephialtes, incubus, old man of the sea, remora, difficulty, insuperable, obstacle, estoppel, ill wind, head wind, trammel, tether, hold back, counterpoise, damper, wet blanket, hinderer, marplot, killjoy, party pooper, party crasher, interloper, trail of a red herring, opponent, hindering, obstructive, obstruent, impeditive, impedient, intercipient, prophylactic, impedimentary, in the way of, unfavorable, onerous, burdensome, cumbrous, cumbersome, obtrusive, hindered, windbound, waterlogged, heavy laden, hard pressed, unassisted &c (assist), single-handed, alone, deserted, occurrent nubes.

Defense

N defense, protection, guard, ward, shielding, propugnation, preservation, guardianship, area defense, site defense, self-defense, self-preservation, resistance, safeguard, balistraria, bunker, screen, camouflage, fortification, munition, muniment, trench, foxhole, bulwark, fosse, moat, ditch, entrenchment, intrenchment, kila, dike, dyke, parapet, sunk fence, embankment, mound, mole, bank, sandbag, revetment, earth work, field- work, fence, wall dead wall, contravallation, paling, palisade, haha, stockade, stoccado, laager, sangar, barrier, barricade, boom, portcullis, chevaux de frise, abatis, abattis, abbatis, vallum, circumvallation, battlement, rampart, scarp, escarp, counter-scarp, glacis, casemate, vallation, vanfos, buttress, abutment, shore, breastwork, banquette, curtain, mantlet, bastion, redan, ravelin, vauntmure, advance work, horn work, outwork, barbacan, barbican, redoubt, fort-elage, fort-alice, lines, loophole, machicolation, sally port, hold, stronghold, fastness, asylum, keep, donjon, dungeon, fortress, citadel, capitol, castle, tower of strength, tower of strength, fort, barracoon, pah, sconce, martello tower, peelhouse, blockhouse, rath, wooden walls, bulletproof vest, armored vest, buffer, corner stone, fender, apron, mask, gauntlet, thimble, carapace, armor, shield, buckler, aegis, breastplate, backplate, cowcatcher, face guard, scutum, cuirass, habergeon, mail, coat of mail, brigandine, hauberk, lorication, helmet, helm, bassinet, salade, heaume, morion, murrion, armet, cabaset, vizor, casquetel, siege cap, headpiece, casque, pickelhaube, vambrace, shako, bearskin, panoply, truncheon, garrison, picket, piquet, defender, protector, guardian, bodyguard, champion, knight-errant, Paladin, propugner, bulletproof window, hardened site, defending, defensive, mural, armed, armed at all points, armed cap-a-pie, armed to the teeth, panoplied, iron-plated, ironclad, loopholed, castellated, machicolated, casemated, defended, proof against, armored, ballproof, bulletproof, hardened, defensively, on the defense, on the defensive, in defense, at bay, pro aris et focis, Int, no surrender!, defense not defiance, Dieu defend le droit, fidei defensor, defender of the faith.

Support

N support, ground, foundation, base, basis, terra firma, bearing, fulcrum, bait, caudex crib, point d'appui, pou sto, purchase footing, hold, locus standi, landing place, landing stage, stage, platform, block, rest, resting place, groundwork, substratum, riprap, sustentation, subvention, floor, supporter, aid, prop, stand, anvil, fulciment, cue rest, jigger, monkey, stay, shore, skid, rib, truss, bandage, sleeper, stirrup, stilts, shoe, sole, heel, splint, lap, bar, rod, boom, sprit, outrigger, ratlings, staff, stick, crutch, alpenstock, baton, staddle, bourdon, cowlstaff, lathi, mahlstick, post, pillar, shaft, thill, column, pilaster, pediment, pedicle, pedestal, plinth, shank, leg, socle, zocle, buttress, jamb, mullion, abutment, baluster, banister, stanchion, balustrade, headstone, upright, door post, jamb, door jamb, frame, framework, scaffold, skeleton, beam, rafter, girder, lintel, joist, travis, trave, corner stone, summer, transom, rung, round, step, sill, angle rafter, hip rafter, cantilever, modillion, crown post, king post, vertebra, columella, backbone, keystone, axle, axletree, axis, arch, mainstay, trunnion, pivot, rowlock, peg, tiebeam, thole pin, board, ledge, shelf, hob, bracket, trevet, trivet, arbor, rack, mantel, mantle piece, mantleshelf, slab, console, counter, dresser, flange, corbel, table, trestle, shoulder, perch, horse, easel, desk, clotheshorse, hatrack, retable, teapoy, seat, throne, dais, divan, musnud, chair, bench, form, stool, sofa, settee, stall, arm chair, easy chair, elbow chair, rocking chair, couch, fauteuil, woolsack, ottoman, settle, squab, bench, aparejo, faldstool, horn, long chair, long sleeve chair, morris chair, lamba chauki, lamba kursi, saddle, pannel, pillion, side saddle, pack saddle, pommel, bed, berth, pallet, tester, crib, cot, hammock, shakedown, trucklebed, cradle, litter, stretcher, bedstead, four poster, French bed, bunk, kip, palang, bedding, bichhona, mattress, paillasse, pillow, bolster, mat, rug, cushion, footstool, hassock, tabouret, tripod, monopod, Atlas, Persides, Atlantes, Caryatides, Hercules, supporting, supported, fundamental, dorsigerous, astride on, straddle.

Navigation

VB sail, put to sea, take ship, get under way, set sail, spread sail, spread canvas, gather way, have way on, make sail, carry sail, plow the waves, plow the deep, plow the main, plow the ocean, walk the waters, navigate, warp, luff, scud, boom, kedge, drift, course, cruise, coast, hug the shore, hug the land, circumnavigate, ply the oar, row, paddle, pull, scull, punt, steam, swim, float, buffet the waves, ride the storm, skim, effleurer, dive, wade, fly, be wafted, hover, soar, flutter, jet, orbit, rocket, take wing, take a flight, take off, ascend, blast off, land, alight, wing one's flight, wing one's way, aviate, parachute, jump, glide.

Velocity

VB move quickly, trip, fisk, speed, hie, hasten, post, spank, scuttle, scud, scuddle, scour, scour the plain, scamper, run like mad, beat it, fly, race, run a race, cut away, shot, tear, whisk, zoom, swoosh, sweep, skim, brush, cut along, bowl along, barrel along, barrel, scorch, burn up the track, rush, dash on, dash off, dash forward, bolt, trot, gallop, amble, troll, bound, flit, spring, dart, boom, march in quick time, march in double time, ride hard, get over the ground, hurry, accelerate, put on, quicken, quicken one's pace, mend one's pace, clap spurs to one's horse, make haste, make rapid strides, make forced marches, make the best of one's way, put one's best leg foremost, stir one's stumps, wing one's way, set off at a score, carry sail, crowd sail, go off like a shot, go like a shot, go ahead, gain ground, outstrip the wind, fly on the wings of the wind, keep up with, keep pace with, outstrip, outmarch.

Impulse

VB flash on the mind, say what comes uppermost, improvise, extemporize, give an impetus, impel, push, start, give a start to, set going, drive, urge, boom, thrust, prod, foin, cant, elbow, shoulder, jostle, justle, hustle, hurtle, shove, jog, jolt, encounter, run against, bump against, butt against, knock one's head against, run one's head against, impinge, boost, bunt, carom, clip y, fan, fan out, jab, plug, strike, knock, hit, tap, rap, slap, flap, dab, pat, thump, beat, blow, bang, slam, dash, punch, thwack, whack, hit hard, strike hard, swap, batter, dowse, baste, pelt, patter, buffet, belabor, fetch one a blow, poke at, pink, lunge, yerk, kick, calcitrate, butt, strike at, whip, come into a collision, enter into collision, collide, sideswipe, foul, fall foul of, run foul of, telescope, throw.

Loudness

N loudness, power, loud noise, din, blare, clang, clangor, clatter, noise, bombilation, roar, uproar, racket, hubbub, bobbery, fracas, charivari, trumpet blast, flourish of trumpets, fanfare, tintamarre, peal, swell, blast, larum, boom, bang (explosion), resonance, vociferation, hullabaloo, lungs, Stentor, artillery, cannon, thunder, loud, sonorous, high-sounding, big-sounding, deep, full, powerful, noisy, blatant, clangorous, multisonous, thundering, deafening, trumpet-tongued, ear-splitting, ear-rending, ear-deafening, piercing, obstreperous, rackety, uproarious, enough to wake the dead, enough to wake seven sleepers, shrill &c 410 clamorous stentorian, stentorophonic, loudly, aloud, at the top of one's voice, at the top of one's lungs, lustily, in full cry, the air rings with, the deep dread-bolted thunder.

VB be loud, peal, swell, clang, boom, thunder, blare, fulminate, roar, resound, speak up, shout, bellow, rend the air, rend the skies, fill the air, din in the ear, ring in the ear, thunder in the ear, pierce the ears, split the ears, rend the ears, split the head, deafen, stun, faire le diable a quatre, make one's windows shake, rattle the windows, awaken the echoes, startle the echoes, wake the dead.

Snap

N snap, rapping, decrepitation, crepitation, report, thud, burst, explosion, blast, boom, discharge, detonation, firing, salvo, volley, squib, cracker, firecracker, cherry bomb, M, gun, cap, cap gun, popgun, implosion, bomb burst, atomic explosion, nuclear explosion (arms), gunpowder, dynamite, gun cotton, nitroglycerine, nitrocellulose, plastic explosive, plastique, TNT, cordite, trinitrotoluene, picric acid, picrates, mercury fulminate (arms), whack, wham, pow, rapping, Int, kaboom!, whamo!, Heewhack!, pow!.

VB rap, snap, tap, knock, ping, click, clash, crack, crackle, crash, pop, slam, bang, blast, boom, clap, clang, clack, whack, wham, brustle, burst on the ear, crepitate, rump, blow up, blow, detonate.