baby boom

noun

Definition of baby boom

: a marked rise in birthrate (as in the U.S. following the end of World War II)

Examples of baby boom in a Sentence

There was a baby boom in the U.S. after World War II.

Recent Examples on the Web

The center’s staff, and the world, watched the baby boom happen over the WCC’s webcams, which are set up in the wolves’ secluded dens and enclosures to allow the animals their privacy and to limit human interaction. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "With Only 30 Red Wolves Left in the Wild, These 10 Newborn Pups Are Big News," 22 June 2018 The aging of the large baby boom generation is making up an increasing share of the nation’s population, with proportionally fewer working-age Americans chipping in payroll taxes. — Amy Goldstein, Washington Post, "A crucial Medicare trust fund will run out three years earlier than predicted, new report says," 5 June 2018 Yet this doesn't signal a soon-coming Gen Z baby boom. — Sean Rossman, USA TODAY, "Generation Z predicts the future: America's kids explain love, marriage and gender roles," 9 July 2018 One factor may be the retirement of the large baby boom generation—which, not incidentally, also adds to entitlement costs. — George Melloan, WSJ, "Social Security Needs Immigrants," 14 June 2018 Brondello, with two elementary school-aged children, welcomes the baby boom. — Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, "'Kidchella' summer could be a big one for Diana Taurasi, Mercury," 30 Apr. 2018 The sisters Calabasas outing comes just weeks before the season 15 premiere of Keeping Up with the Kardashian, which will chronicle the KarJenner baby boom of 2018. — Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE.com, "Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian Look Like Twins in Matching Spandex and Crop Tops," 12 June 2018 There is no sign of a new baby boom on the horizon. — William A. Galston, WSJ, "Can America Grow Like It Used To?," 29 May 2018 Hayden is among an estimated 41 million Americans born in the second half of the baby boom, generally defined as 1946 to 1964, who are on the cusp of retirement age. — Sarah Gantz, Philly.com, "Mounting health costs a financial vise for boomers nearing retirement," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baby boom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Oct 2018

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The first known use of baby boom was in 1880

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baby boomer

noun

Financial Definition of baby boomer

What It Is

A baby boomer is a member of the generation born between 1946 and 1964.

How It Works

The term baby boom refers to the increase in births after the end of World War II. Today, America’s 75 million baby boomers represent about 30% of the population.

Though no terms describe every member of a population or group, the 1960s and early 1970s were defining times for this generation, though boomers born after around 1959 likely have different experiences and definitions of that era. Noted for a penchant for social change, increased divorce rates, affluent living and helicopter parenting (micromanaging their children), the baby boom generation has indeed transformed the American experience.

Why It Matters

From an economic perspective, the baby boomer generation is a major force not only for its sheer size but for its habits. In general terms, this population segment is responsible for more than half of all consumer spending in the United States.

The population of the United States is expected to age over the next several decades, thanks to the aging boomers. Many analysts expect this to create a corresponding increase in demand for aging care, products for the elderly, estate and retirement planning, and similar goods and services.

Source: Investing Answers

baby boom

noun