zoom

[zoom]

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verb (used without object)

to move quickly or suddenly with a loud humming or buzzing sound: cars zooming by on the freeway.

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

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.

Informal. to increase or rise suddenly and sharply: Rents would zoom without rent control laws.

verb (used with object)

to cause (an airplane) to zoom.

to fly over (an obstacle) by zooming.

noun

the act or process of zooming.

a zooming sound.

Informal. zoom lens.

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 Phrases

zoom in (on),

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.
to examine more closely or in greater detail; focus on: The panel zoomed in on the subject of abortion.

Origin of zoom

First recorded in 1885–90; imitative

Synonyms for zoom

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR zoom ON THESAURUS.COM

1. buzz, speed, streak, flash.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for zoom

whirl, dash, hurtle, zip, rocket, dive, flash, surge, whiz, skyrocket, buzz, dart, streak, shoot, rush, tear, hum, rip, fly, outstrip

Examples from the Web for zoom

Contemporary Examples of zoom

If you zoom in on Google Maps, you can just make out the jumbles of industrial machinery tucked away inside.
The Fiery Underground Oil Pit Eating L.A.
Geoff Manaugh
December 6, 2014
It beats a screen grab because you can zoom in and out as you travel.
How to Get Cheaper Tickets, Live Like a Local, and Other Great Travel Hacks
Brandon Presser
June 4, 2014
Click here to zoom in, then take a look at the bottom hem of the topless Psyche's dress.
The Unknown Masterpiece
Blake Gopnik
November 25, 2013
Unlike humans, it can watch for days, even years, watch an entire city, zoom in close, use heat sensors and infrared.
Why Drones Make Us Nervous
Josh Dzieza
May 17, 2013
Yes, it may be individually rational, but let's zoom back to 30,000 feet and look at the whole society.
Don't Have Enough to Worry About? Here's One More Thing: Low Growth May be Here to Stay.
Megan McArdle
March 4, 2013

Historical Examples of zoom

After that for some time only the zoom of the motor was heard.
Gypsy Flight
Roy J. Snell
Jack had to "zoom" several times to get out of reach of the shells.
Air Service Boys in the Big Battle
Charles Amory Beach
He had lost flying speed on his zoom to get at the green plane.
Aces Up
Covington Clarke
When they saw him zoom once more into the air, their hearts bounded with him.
Famous Flyers
David Goodger (goodger@python.org)
Just then the distant "Zoom" of the westbound Overland shook the silence.
Partners of Chance
Henry Herbert Knibbs

British Dictionary definitions for zoom

zoom

verb

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

to move or cause to move with such a sound

(intr) to move very rapidly; rushwe zoomed through town

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

(intr) (of prices) to rise rapidly

noun

the sound or act of zooming

See zoom lens

Word Origin for zoom

C20: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for zoom

1886, of echoic origin. Gained popularity c.1917 as aviators began to use it; zoom lens is 1936.