Boom
Boom (bom) , noun
[Dutch boom tree, pole, beam, bar. See Beam.]
1.
(Nautical) 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.
2.
(Mechanics) 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.
3.
A pole with a conspicuous top, set up to mark the channel in a river or harbor. [Obsolete]
4.
(Military & Naval) 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.
5.
(Lumbering) A line of connected floating timbers stretched across a river, or inclosing an area of water, to keep saw logs, etc., from floating away.
Collocations (2)
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 (bom) , transitive verb
(Nautical) To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.
Boom (bom) , intransitive verb
[Of imitative origin; compare Old English bommen to hum, Dutch bommen to drum, sound as an empty barrel, also Welsh bwmp a hollow sound; aderyn y bwmp, the bird of the hollow sound, that is, the bittern. Compare Bum, Bump, v. i., Bomb, v. i.]
1.
To cry with a hollow note; to make a hollow sound, as the bittern, and some insects.
At eve the beetle boometh
Athwart the thicket lone.
2.
To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon.
Alarm guns booming through the night air.
3.
To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press of sail, before a free wind.
She comes booming down before it.
4.
To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular favor; to go on rushingly.
Boom , noun
1.
A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry of the bittern; a booming.
2.
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. [Colloquial United States]
Boom , transitive verb
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. [Colloquial United States]