big crunch

American  

[big kruhnch] / ˈbɪg ˈkrʌntʃ /

noun

plural

big crunches

1. Astronomy. Also, Big Crunch. a hypothetical event in which gravitational attraction causes the universe to contract until it eventually collapses to a singularity or black hole.

---

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

---

Example Sentences

"This big crunch defines the end of the universe," Tye wrote.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

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

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2023

Will it continue expanding forever, or be pulled into reverse, ending in a big crunch?

From Science Magazine • Jan. 13, 2022

"They start with all-white meat chicken, and get their big crunch from a combo of the wheat crackers and walnuts that make up our ghostly delicious coating," said Cain.

From Fox News • Oct. 23, 2021

If the expansion is slowing down rapidly, then it’s a good sign that the energy from the big bang is nearly spent; our universe would be heading for a big crunch.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife