big crunch

Scientific  

1. The convergence of all matter, energy, and space into a single, minute point. This convergence is hypothesized to be the final event in the universe in some cosmological theories.

2. Compare big bang See also closed universe

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Example Sentences

Two extremes of these outcomes are a Big Rip, where the accelerated expansion itself accelerates to the point that it rips everything apart, even atoms, and a Big Crunch, where the universe stops expanding at some point and recollapses, which will look like a reverse Big Bang.

From Science Daily

The kids themselves, as if mirroring the movie they’re in, talk excitedly of a “big crunch” coming, when the universe will expand and pop and everything will go backward.

From Los Angeles Times

This could lead to two extreme—and extremely divergent—outcomes: the “big crunch,” in which dark energy would become an attractive force and cause the universe to collapse, and the “big rip,” wherein dark energy would strengthen to tear apart matter and sunder spacetime itself.

From Scientific American

It could be fickle again: It might cause the expansion to grow at a faster than exponential rate, tearing apart the cosmos in a “big rip,” or flip into an attractive force pulling the universe into a big crunch.

From Science Magazine

Mr. Butler said he had been prepared for a big crunch, given the doom and gloom swirling around the industry.

From New York Times