big bang
noun
: the cosmic explosion that marked the beginning of the universe according to the big bang theory
In 1965 Arno A. Penzias and Robert W. Wilson of the Bell Telephone Laboratories discovered that the space of the universe is bathed with a diffuse radiation that is assumed to persist following the "big bang" expansion of the universe from an original fireball.—
V. L. Ginzburg
compare big crunch, big rip
V. L. Ginzburg
Examples of big bang in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Or so much that the expansion will eventually reverse itself in a kind of about-face big bang?
—Richard Panek, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
Related Stories Movies 'The Killer' Review: Michael Fassbender Is an Unsettled Assassin in David Fincher's Wry, Pleasingly Pulpy Thriller
The Theory of Everything
The Bottom Line Lots of theories, not enough big bangs.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
While this was percolating before Covid started, it’s hit a fever pitch now, and people throughout the country want a big bang for their buck.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2023
But Nolan’s reshuffling of the story’s chronology seems more born of a showman’s instinct to save his big bang for a climax.
—WIRED, 24 July 2023
And because such a universe doesn’t have a beginning, there’s no big bang and no singularity.
—James Riordon, Scientific American, 24 May 2023
Toyota packs in plenty of standard driver assistance and infotainment tech as well, so the Corolla Cross hybrid delivers a big bang for the buck.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 12 July 2023
Learn more › Dove hunting kicks fall seasons off with a big bang.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023
Astronomers have meanwhile since found several other early galaxy candidates, some seemingly as far back as 200 million years post–big bang.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 6 Dec. 2022
See More
Richard Panek, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
Related Stories Movies 'The Killer' Review: Michael Fassbender Is an Unsettled Assassin in David Fincher's Wry, Pleasingly Pulpy Thriller
The Theory of Everything
The Bottom Line Lots of theories, not enough big bangs.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
While this was percolating before Covid started, it’s hit a fever pitch now, and people throughout the country want a big bang for their buck.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2023
But Nolan’s reshuffling of the story’s chronology seems more born of a showman’s instinct to save his big bang for a climax.
—WIRED, 24 July 2023
And because such a universe doesn’t have a beginning, there’s no big bang and no singularity.
—James Riordon, Scientific American, 24 May 2023
Toyota packs in plenty of standard driver assistance and infotainment tech as well, so the Corolla Cross hybrid delivers a big bang for the buck.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 12 July 2023
Learn more › Dove hunting kicks fall seasons off with a big bang.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023
Astronomers have meanwhile since found several other early galaxy candidates, some seemingly as far back as 200 million years post–big bang.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 6 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'big bang.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1949, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near big bang
Cite this Entry
“Big bang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20bang. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
big bang
noun
: the explosion that caused the beginning of the universe according to the big bang theory
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