big bang: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Scientific, journalistic, business jargon
Quick answer
What does “big bang” mean?
The event marking the origin of the universe, an immense expansion from a singularity approximately 13.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The event marking the origin of the universe, an immense expansion from a singularity approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
Any sudden, explosive, or radical beginning or change, often with significant impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. Spelling remains consistent.
Connotations
In business contexts, 'big bang' in the UK is strongly associated with the 1986 financial deregulation ('Big Bang'). In the US, it's more generically applied to major launches or disruptions.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK media due to the historical financial event. In US academic writing, the cosmological term is dominant.
Grammar
How to Use “big bang” in a Sentence
[Subject] caused a big bang in [field/industry].The [event/launch] went off with a big bang.They favour a big bang approach to [change].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big bang” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regulator decided to big-bang the new trading rules next quarter.
- They plan to big-bang the software update across all branches.
American English
- The company will big-bang its rebranding campaign during the Super Bowl.
- Management chose to big-bang the merger process.
adverb
British English
- The changes were introduced big-bang, causing some initial chaos.
- We prefer to do it big-bang rather than piecemeal.
American English
- They launched the product line big-bang across all stores.
- The policy shift happened big-bang, not gradually.
adjective
British English
- The government opted for a big-bang implementation of the tax code.
- It was a classic big-bang strategy.
American English
- They are known for their big-bang marketing reveals.
- A big-bang overhaul of the website is planned.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describes a major, one-time implementation of new systems or regulations, as opposed to a phased rollout.
Academic
Primarily used in cosmology, physics, and history of science; sometimes in economics discussing shock therapy.
Everyday
Used figuratively to describe anything starting suddenly and impressively (e.g., 'The festival opened with a big bang').
Technical
In cosmology, the prevailing theory for the origin of the universe from a hot, dense initial state.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big bang”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big bang”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big bang”
- Using 'Big Bang' as a verb without a supporting verb (Incorrect: 'They will big bang the system.' Correct: 'They will launch with a big bang.').
- Confusing 'big bang' with 'black hole' in cosmological discussion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When referring specifically to the cosmological event/theory, it is often capitalised (the Big Bang Theory). In figurative use (a big bang launch), it is usually not capitalised.
Yes, but it's informal jargon, primarily in business/tech contexts (e.g., 'to big-bang a release'). It's not standard in formal writing or scientific discourse.
The opposite is an 'incremental', 'phased', 'gradual', or 'slow burn' approach, where changes are implemented in small, sequential steps.
In science, the Big Bang model is the prevailing and most strongly supported theory for the origin and evolution of the universe, based on extensive observational evidence like cosmic microwave background radiation and redshift.
The event marking the origin of the universe, an immense expansion from a singularity approximately 13.
Big bang is usually scientific, journalistic, business jargon in register.
Big bang: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈbæŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈbæŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go off with a bang (related)”
- “make a big splash (similar figurative sense)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a balloon popping loudly and suddenly: that's the 'bang'. Now imagine it creating everything in the universe – that's the 'big' part. A 'BIG BANG' starts it all.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNINGS ARE EXPLOSIONS / RADICAL CHANGE IS A COSMIC EVENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Big Bang' most likely to be capitalised?