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Entry 13 senses · 5 variants Webster, 1913

Boom

/(bo͞om)/ · IPA /bum/
01 n. 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.
  1. 1.
    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.(Naut.)
  2. 2.
    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.(Mech.)
  3. 3.
    A pole with a conspicuous top, set up to mark the channel in a river or harbor.[Obs.]
  4. 4.
    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.(Mil. & Naval)
  5. 5.
    A line of connected floating timbers stretched across a river, or inclosing an area of water, to keep saw logs, etc., from floating away.(Lumbering)
Phrases & compounds
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.
02 v. t. To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.
  1. 1.
    To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.(Naut.)
03 v. i. To cry with a hollow note; to make a hollow sound, as the bittern, and some insects.
imp. & p. p. Boomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Booming
  1. 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.” — Tennyson.
  2. 2.
    To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon.
    “Alarm guns booming through the night air.” — W. Irving.
  3. 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.” — Totten.
  4. 4.
    To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular favor; to go on rushingly.
04 n. A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry of the bittern; a booming.
  1. 1.
    A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry of the bittern; a booming.
  2. 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.[Colloq. U. S.]
05 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.
  1. 1.
    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.[Colloq. U. S.]