extinction
Extinction (noun) means the complete dying out of a species, group, or way of life. Example: “Hunting drove the species to extinction.”
How to use extinction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe point at which every last member of a species or group has died out.
Word forms
extinctions plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Hunting drove the species to _____.
Etymology
From Latin extinctio, "extinguishing, annihilation", from extinguere.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for extinction
Frequently asked questions
What does “extinction” mean?
The word “extinction” means the complete dying out of a species, group, or way of life. In plain terms, the point at which every last member of a species or group has died out.
How do you pronounce “extinction”?
“Extinction” is pronounced ihk-STIHNGK-shuhn (/ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “extinction” in a sentence?
Here is “extinction” used in a sentence: “Hunting drove the species to extinction.”
What part of speech is “extinction”?
“Extinction” is a noun.
Where does the word “extinction” come from?
The word “extinction” comes from Latin. From Latin extinctio, "extinguishing, annihilation", from extinguere.
Is “extinction” a common word?
“Extinction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between extinction and endangerment?
Extinction refers to the complete dying out of a species, group, or way of life, meaning none remain. Endangerment describes a species that is at serious risk of extinction but has not yet died out entirely. Endangered species can potentially be saved, while extinction is irreversible.
Can extinction refer to things other than species?
Yes, extinction can describe the complete dying out of any group or way of life, such as the extinction of a language, a tradition, or a business model. The core idea is total disappearance rather than a biological species specifically.
What is a mass extinction?
A mass extinction is an event in which a large number of species die out within a relatively short geological period, far exceeding the normal background rate of extinction. Scientists study fossil records to identify these periods of widespread species loss.