zoomhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoom_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoom, n.
Revised 2017

zoomnoun

  1. 1.
    1917–
    Aeronautics. A steep climb by an aircraft flying at high speed. Frequently attributive.
    1. 1917
      Did you see old Cole's zoom on a quirk this morning?
      Daily Mail 19 July 4/5
    2. 1918
      The Hun's third repetition of the manœuvre was varied by a straight zoom instead of a climbing turn.
      Blackwood's Magazine June 762/1
    3. 1932
      With the speed of modern fighters when on the dive, it might happen that the fighter pilots would experience ‘blacking out’ at the critical moment of the turn and zoom.
      Flight 1 April 272/1
    4. 1960
      At the zoom altitudes which the Mirage is capable of reaching, there is insufficient airflow through the engine to maintain afterburner combustion.
      Aeroplane 2 December 741/1
    5. 1988
      The zoom climb produced a 1,200-fpm climb on the VSI initially—slowing to 900 fpm—not bad for just 47 horses (at sea level).
      Canadian Aviation May 27/1
    6. 2008
      During the NF104 flight test program, Smitty reached a maximum altitude of 120,800 feet on one zoom.
      G. J. Marrett, Contrails over Mojave vi. 61
  2. 2.
    1926–
    colloquial. Zest, vivacity, vigour; zip; gusto. Cf. zoom int., vavoom n.
    1. 1926
      They state bluntly that their own duty is to their readers who demand pep and punch and zip and zoom, and art can go hang.
      Harper's Magazine March 468/1
    2. 1964
      Perhaps also a man has to have a bit of an inferiority complex..to give him that extra zoom as a lover. A smug, inbred type like Roger doesn't care if he's a dead loss to a woman between the sheets.
      in C. Hamblett & J. Deverson, Generation X 97
    3. a1974
      I am definitely losing political zest, looking and feeling more detached, with less zoom, watching, not believing in things, not as enthusiastic or inspired.
      R. Crossman, Diaries (1977) vol. III. 297
    4. 1990
      Mitsubishi has given its small car, the imported Lancer, some extra zoom by adding two top-line models to the range.
      Sunday Mail (Brisbane) 23 September 59/9
    5. 2010
      Calgary's fourth line put in another buzzing effort. No goal. But plenty of zoom.
      Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 8 December c1
  3. 3.
    Cinematography and Photography.
    1. 3.a.
      1930–
      A camera shot that changes smoothly from a long shot to a close-up, or vice versa, without loss of focus; the act or process of smoothly changing the magnification of a shot in this way. Frequently attributive. Cf. zoom v.1 3a.
      Recorded earliest in zoom shot n.
      1. 1930
        This mystery thriller also has one of the baffling ‘zoom’ shots.
        Sheboygan (Wisconsin) Press 25 August 6/4
      2. 1934
        It is possible not only to change the focus easily so that close ups may be made, but ‘zooms’ and fade-outs are easily possible.
        Electronics June 173/1
      3. 1948
        Does the speed change while zooming?.. The speed is independent of the zoom.
        Journal Soc. Motion Picture Engin. vol. 51 296
      4. 1962
        The film ends on a zoom into a close up of Tolly's clenched fist.
        Movie December 6/3
      5. 1992
        Zoom cameras let you match the focal length to the size and distance of your subject.
        Which? November 51/2
      6. 2013
        Hong's briskly assertive drypoint style of long takes and sharp zooms has never been more expansive.
        New Yorker 29 July 15/2
    2. 3.b.
      1969–
      A zoom lens.
      Often preceded by numerical specification of its capability.
      1. 1969
        For SLR owners, zooms mean less weight in the gadget bag.
        Popular Mechanics October 163
      2. 1978
        He uses a Nikon with 24mm, 43–86mm and 80–200mm zooms, and uses Kodachrome exclusively.
        Amateur Photographer 29 November 120
      3. 1982
        [He] had taken the telephoto lens off the camera and replaced it with an all-purpose zoom.
        ‘A. J. Quinnell’, Snap Shot vi. 99
      4. 1995
        An unashamed point-and-shooter from JVC which features little bar a 12x zoom and an AE dial for selecting..exposure modes.
        Camcorder User April 78/3
      5. 2005
        A zoom is well worth having.
        Computer Buyer May 134/2

zoom, n. was revised in June 2017.

zoom, n. was last modified in July 2023.