zoom

¹

[zoom]

verb (used without object)

1. to move quickly or suddenly with a loud humming or buzzing sound.

   cars zooming by on the freeway.

   Synonyms: flash, streak, speed, buzz

2. to fly an airplane suddenly and sharply upward at great speed for a short distance, as in regaining altitude, clearing an obstacle, or signaling.

3. Movies, Television.,  to bring a subject, scene, etc., into closeup or cause it to recede into a long shot using a zoom lens and while maintaining focus.

4. Informal.,  to increase or rise suddenly and sharply.

   Rents would zoom without rent control laws.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (an airplane) to zoom.

2. to fly over (an obstacle) by zooming.

noun

1. the act or process of zooming.

2. a zooming sound.

3. Informal.,  zoom lens.

4. Also called zoom shot. Movies, Television.,  a shot in which a subject, scene, or action is brought closer or made to recede by the use of a zoom lens.

verb phrase

1. zoom in (on)

   1. to bring (a subject, scene, etc.) into closeup by using a zoom lens.

      to zoom in for a look at the injured man; to zoom in on a candidate at a political convention.

   2. to examine more closely or in greater detail; focus on.

      The panel zoomed in on the subject of abortion.

Zoom

²

[zoom]

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a software application and online service that enables voice and video phone calls over the internet.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to participate in a real-time conversation with (one or more people) using Zoom.

   Yesterday the kids Zoomed their grandparents in Florida.

   We Zoom with remote staff during our Friday meetings.

zoom

/ zuːm /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a continuous buzzing or humming sound

2. to move or cause to move with such a sound

3. (intr) to move very rapidly; rush

   we zoomed through town

4. to cause (an aircraft) to climb briefly at an unusually steep angle, or (of an aircraft) to climb in this way

5. (intr) (of prices) to rise rapidly

noun

1. the sound or act of zooming

2. See zoom lens

Word History and Origins

Origin of zoom¹

First recorded in 1885–90; imitative

Origin of zoom²

First recorded in 2010–15; shortening of Zoom Video Communications

Word History and Origins

Origin of zoom¹

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Taken together, the slipcased set zooms in on the past quarter century of American womankind, rendered in 250 images of dancers, actors, astronauts, artists, politicians, farmers, writers, CEOs, philanthropists, soldiers, musicians, athletes, socialites and scientists.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The jump scare is a classic horror movie trope, but can that be adapted to the stage without a quick cut or crash zoom?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And because ideas build over time, you’re able to zoom out of the interactions you’re having and continually refer to those memories.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But independent filmmakers zoom in on the hardship.

Read more on BBC

“Secrets of the Mogwai” zooms in on Mr. Wing’s relationship with Gizmo, who became a through line in the “Gremlins” movies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buzz 
• dart 
• dash 
• dive 
• flash 
• hurtle 
• rocket 
• shoot up 
• skyrocket 
• surge 
• whirl 
• whiz 
• zip