I. ˈzüm verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: imitative
intransitive verb
1. : to move with or make a loud but low hum or buzz
2. of an airplane : to climb for a short time at an angle greater than that which can be maintained in steady flight so that the machine is carried upward at the expense of its stored kinetic energy
3.
a. of a motion-picture or television camera : to move toward or away from an object rapidly while keeping the object in focus
b. of a motion-picture or television image : to appear to come closer to or to move away from the observer as the result of varying the focal length of the camera lens
transitive verb
: to cause (as a motion-picture or television image) to zoom
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : an act or process of zooming: as
(1) : a sudden increase in the upward slope of the flight path of an airplane ; broadly : a sharp upward movement (as of a business cycle)
(2) : a process by which an image is made to grow or to shrink rapidly in the field of view of a motion-picture or television camera
b. : a zooming sound
2. : a cocktail consisting of brandy, honey, and cream shaken in ice and served in a wine glass