extinction

noun

ex·​tinc·​tion ik-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

plural extinctions

1

a

: the act of making extinct or causing to be extinguished

gradual extinction of the national debt

b

: the condition or fact of being extinct

or : the process of becoming extinct

attempting to save a species from extinction

… at least 17 species of the island's largest mammals, birds, and reptiles were lost in a wave of extinctions that occurred about 1,000 years ago.

—Pamela S. Cubberly

Now, more than 40 percent of the world's 7,000 or so languages are thought to be at risk of extinction, some with just a handful of elderly native speakers left.

—Benjamin Plackett

see also mass extinction

2

: the process of eliminating or reducing a conditioned (see conditioned sense 2) response by not reinforcing it

When a rat in a Skinner box presses a lever, a tone sounds momentarily, followed shortly by delivery of food. … After the animal has been conditioned in this way, the experimenter begins extinction, so that when the rat presses the lever neither the tone nor the food appears.

—Rita L. Atkinson et al.

Synonyms

• annihilation
• decimation
• demolishment
• demolition
• desolation
• destruction
• devastation
• extermination
• havoc
• loss
• mincemeat
• obliteration
• ruin
• ruination
• wastage
• wreckage

Examples of extinction in a Sentence

the extinction of all life in the region

the extinction of many old traditions

Mass extinctions of prehistoric animals are known to have occurred.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the last four decades, the zoo has been working to bring California condors back from the brink of extinction. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

While Southwest passengers can rest easy (for now), the recliner still risks an extinction in economy class as airlines increasingly opt for lighter seats, William McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, tells Condé Nast Traveler. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2024

Together, these forces put the koala at the real risk of extinction. —Emily Anthes Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Even with more water flowing through California rivers after a relatively wet winter, environmental groups say state and federal agencies are still putting fish at risk of extinction by pumping too much water to farms and cities. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

But, other species remain on the brink of extinction in the U.S. and around the globe. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024

Guides will share the epic comeback story of a majestic animal that was nearly driven to extinction and tell you about the heroes who helped save them. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024

Native to much of California, beavers were hunted to near extinction throughout North America by fur traders in the 1800s. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

Some countries are genuinely struggling to manage the success of their conservation, Linnell said, adding that saving a species from extinction is just the beginning. —Billy Stockwell, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing extinction

• extinction coefficient
• mass extinction
• mass extinction event
• self-extinction

Kids Definition

extinction

noun

ex·​tinc·​tion ik-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

1

: an act of extinguishing or an instance of being extinguished

2

a

: the state of being extinct

b

: the process of becoming extinct

3

: the process of eliminating or reducing a conditioned response by not providing the stimulus with which it has become associated by conditioning

Medical Definition

extinction

noun

ex·​tinc·​tion ik-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən 

1

: the process of becoming extinct

the extinction of a species

also : the condition or fact of being extinct

2

: the process of eliminating or reducing a conditioned response by not reinforcing it