what does "boast" mean?

[san2612]

Toward the end of the century, newspapers in Washington began to carry national advertising, especially from patent medicine companies, which bought space from agencies that brokered ads in papers all over the country. By 1900, Washington boasted 19 daily and 176 weekly papers. Especially in the larger cities, they reflected less the personal opinions of the editor than the interests of the large businesses they had become. They subscribed to the Associated Press and United Press news services, and new technology permitted illustrations.

1. the word "boasted" is closest in meaning to:
   (A) planned
   (B) financed
   (C) was forced to close
   (D) took pride in having

I chose D but the answer is B. In Oxfrord dictionary, the word "boast" has no meaning like finance

 

[5jj]

D seems to be the only choice here. To Boast means to talk about and be proud of.

'Boast' also means 'have sth that is impressive and that you can be proud of' (ALD), which is closer to the meaning in this passage - and to answer D. B is wrong.