(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If there is a ~ 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 ~ followed, especially in housing and construction...
The 1980s were indeed ~ years.
...the cycle of ~ and bust which has damaged us for 40 years.
? slump
N-COUNT: usu sing
2.
A ~ in something is an increase in its amount, frequency, or success.
The ~ 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 ~.
? slump
N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp, oft N in n
3.
If the economy or a business is ~ing, the amount of things being bought or sold is increasing.
By 1988 the economy was ~ing...
It has a ~ing tourist industry.
VERB: V, V-ing
4.
On a boat, the ~ 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.
N-COUNT: usu sing, the N
5.
When something such as someone’s voice, a cannon, or a big drum ~s, it makes a loud, deep sound that lasts for several seconds.
‘Ladies,’ ~ed Helena, without a microphone, ‘we all know why we’re here tonight.’...
Thunder ~ed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain.
VERB: V with quote, V prep/adv, also V
•
Boom out means the same as ~ .
Music ~ed out from loudspeakers...
A megaphone ~ed out, ‘This is the police.’...
He turned his sightless eyes their way and ~ed out a greeting.
PHRASAL VERB: V P prep/adv, V P with quote, V P n (not pron), also V P
•
Boom is also a noun.
The stillness of night was broken by the ~ of a cannon.
N-COUNT; SOUND
6.
see also baby ~