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

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of big bang was in 1949

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.

Kids Definition

big bang

noun
: the explosion that caused the beginning of the universe according to the big bang theory
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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