black hole
A 'black hole' in astronomy refers to a region in space with such strong gravity that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. The term is also used metaphorically to describe situations or places where things disappear without a trace.
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Definition
C1Astronomy
(technical, scientific)A region in space where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape.
Example
- Scientists believe a black hole exists at the center of our galaxy.
- The black hole's event horizon marks the point of no return.
B2Metaphorical
(figurative)A situation or place where things vanish without any trace or return.
Example
- The project turned into a financial black hole, consuming all available resources.
- Emails sent to that address seem to disappear into a black hole.
C1Internet
(technical, informal)A location where incoming data is discarded without any acknowledgment.
Example
- The server issue caused all incoming requests to be sent to a black hole.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "black hole":
back holewhite holeevent horizonlove holedark spacedark matterdonut holebonus holememory holein the holedark stargalactic centerglory hole