gravitational collapse: Meaning and Definition of

gravita'tional collapse'

1. the final stage of stellar evolution in which a star collapses to a final state, as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole, when the star's nuclear reactions no longer generate enough pressure to balance the attractive force of gravity.
2. the initial stage of stellar evolution in which interstellar gases and dust contract under gravity and condense into one or more stars.