Definition of extinct
1a : no longer burningb : no longer active an extinct volcano
2 : no longer existing an extinct animal
3a : gone out of use : supersededb : having no qualified claimant an extinct title
From the M-W Editors
Examples of extinct in a Sentence
Many of these old traditions have since become extinct.
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
Recent Examples of extinct from the Web
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A group of researchers at the University of Alberta managed to recreate a relative of smallpox called horsepox, another extinct virus.
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Without further intervention, the creatures could go extinct as early as next year, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
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That's a lot of plants that need tender love and care – and money – to keep them from going extinct.
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So it was forgotten, and it was thought to be extinct.
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For The Golden Menagerie, that meant going to the museum of Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris to study rare and extinct animals of the past, which in turn influenced her designs.
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Two calves of an African antelope species that may be extinct in its native habitat will go on exhibit Thursday at the Kansas City Zoo.
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MIAMI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM DINO ISLAND Ever wonder what life would be like if the dinosaurs never became extinct?
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He's found the bones of a woolly mammoth and other ice-age land animals during diving expeditions on the Atlantic Coast and is at work trying to find signs of extinct squirrel-like mammals that may have lived in the underwater forest.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'extinct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of extinct
Middle English, from Latin exstinctus, past participle of exstinguere
First Known Use of extinct
15th century
EXTINCT Defined for English Language Learners
extinct
playDefinition of extinct for English Language Learners
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: no longer existing
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: no longer active
EXTINCT Defined for Kids
extinct
playDefinition of extinct for Students
1 : no longer active an extinct volcano
2 : no longer existing Dinosaurs are extinct.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about extinct
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for extinct Spanish Central: Translation of extinct Nglish: Translation of extinct for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of extinct for Arabic speakers
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