On the distance came the single boom of a gong.

In the mid-1980's when the so-called boom came, it's true that corporate America was doing well.

From across the river had come the deep boom of a muffled cannon shot.

And the boom in growth here has not come without growing pains.

But many buyers say they have a sense that the long boom has finally come to an end.

In 1973, the world's fiscal boom came to an end.

For some retailers, however, the boom has come too late.

And then - suddenly, it seemed - the boom came to an end.

Of course, the boom has come at a price.

At the same moment, a tremendous boom came from somewhere far overhead.