Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

blackhole

noun
/ˈblæk.hoʊl/
Definition
A black hole is a region of space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.
Examples
  • The scientists discovered a black hole at the center of our galaxy.
  • Black holes can only be detected through their interaction with surrounding matter.
  • She described a black hole as a ‘cosmic vacuum cleaner’ that sucks in everything around it.
Meaning
In astrophysics, a black hole forms when a massive star collapses under its own gravity at the end of its life cycle, resulting in a point of infinite density.
Synonyms
  • gravitational well
  • event horizon