Extinction: meaning, definitions and examples
☠️
extinction
[ ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən ]
in biology
The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct.
Synonyms
annihilation, eradication, extermination
Examples of usage
- Many species are facing extinction due to habitat destruction.
- The extinction of dinosaurs occurred millions of years ago.
in ecology
The complete loss of a species within a specific ecosystem.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The extinction of a predator can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem.
in general
The act of extinguishing or putting an end to something.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The extinction of a fire requires the use of water or extinguishing agents.
Translations
Translations of the word "extinction" in other languages:
🇵🇹 extinção
🇮🇳 विलुप्ति
🇩🇪 Aussterben
🇮🇩 kepunahan
🇺🇦 вимирання
🇵🇱 wyginięcie
🇯🇵 絶滅 (ぜつめつ)
🇫🇷 extinction
🇪🇸 extinción
🇹🇷 nesil tükenmesi
🇰🇷 멸종 (멸절)
🇸🇦 انقراض
🇨🇿 vyhynutí
🇸🇰 vyhynutie
🇨🇳 灭绝 (mièjué)
🇸🇮 izumrtje
🇮🇸 útdauði
🇰🇿 жойылу
🇬🇪 გაქრობა
🇦🇿 nəsli kəsilmə
🇲🇽 extinción
Word origin
The word 'extinction' comes from the Latin word 'extinctio' which means 'extinguishing' or 'annihilation'. The concept of extinction was first introduced in the late 18th century by Georges Cuvier, a French naturalist and paleontologist, who studied the fossil record and proposed the idea of species becoming extinct over time due to natural processes or catastrophic events.
See also: extinct.