zoom

UK: /ˈzuːm/ US: /zum/ ,(zo̅o̅m)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

zoom /zum/   v. 

1. to move quickly or suddenly with a loud humming or buzzing sound: [no object]
   The plane zoomed across the sky.
   [~ + object]
   He zoomed the car ahead.
2. to move or go rapidly:
   [no object] He zoomed ahead of the others.
3. Informal Terms to increase or rise suddenly and sharply:
   [no object] Prices zoomed.
4. zoom in (on):
   • to bring into closeup by using a zoom lens: [no object]
     zoomed in for a closeup.
     [~ + in (+ on) + object]
     to zoom in on the subject.

n. [countable]

5. the act or process of zooming.
6. a zooming sound.
7. Cinema, Informal Terms, Photography zoom lens.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

zoom (zo̅o̅m),  v.i. 

1. to move quickly or suddenly with a loud humming or buzzing sound:
   cars zooming by on the freeway.
2. Aeronautics 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. Cinema [Motion Pictures, 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 Terms to increase or rise suddenly and sharply:
   Rents would zoom without rent control laws.

v.t. 

5. Aeronautics to cause (an airplane) to zoom.
6. to fly over (an obstacle) by zooming.
7. Cinema 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.

n. 

8. the act or process of zooming.
9. a zooming sound.
10. Cinema, Informal Terms, Photography [Informal.] See zoom lens. 
11. Cinema, Radio and Television Also called zoom shot. [Motion Pictures, Television.] a shot in which a subject, scene, or action is brought closer or made to recede by the use of a zoom lens.

• imitative 1885–90

Synonyms

• 1. . buzz, speed, streak, flash.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. (intransitive) 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. (intransitive) (of prices) to rise rapidly

noun

1. the sound or act of zooming
2. See zoom lens

Etymology: 20th Century: of imitative origin