Boom (boom), n. [D. boom tree, pole, beam, bar. See Beam.] 1.
Naut. 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. Mech. 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. [Obs.]
4. Mil. & 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.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Boom (b&oomac;m), v. t. Naut. To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.
© Webster 1913.
Boom (b&oomac;m), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Boomed (#), p. pr. & vb. n. Booming.] [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.] 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. To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon.
Alarm guns booming through the night air.
W. Irving.
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. To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular favor; to go on rushingly.
© Webster 1913.
Boom, n. 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. [Colloq. U. S.]
© Webster 1913.
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. [Colloq. U. S.]
© Webster 1913. | 
