boom

[[t]bu͟ːm[/t]]

♦♦♦

booms, booming, boomed

1) N-COUNT: usu sing 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.

Ant:

slump

2) N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, oft N in n 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...

Public transport has not been able to cope adequately with the travel boom.

Ant:

slump

3) VERB If the economy or a business is booming, the amount of things being bought or sold is increasing.

By 1988 the economy was booming...

Sales are booming...

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

4) N-COUNT: usu sing, the N 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) N-COUNT 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.

[V with quote] `Ladies,' boomed Helena, without a microphone, `we all know why we're here tonight.'...

[V prep/adv] Thunder boomed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain. [Also V]

PHR-V-ERG

Boom out means the same as boom.

V P prep/adv Music boomed out from loudspeakers... V P with quote A megaphone boomed out, `This is the police.'... Also V P V P n (not pron) He turned his sightless eyes their way and boomed out a greeting.

N-COUNT; SOUND

Boom is also a noun.

The stillness of night was broken by the boom of a cannon.

7) → See also baby boom

Phrasal Verbs:

- boom out