What does "extinction" mean?

1. (dying out of a species) the situation where a type of animal or plant stops existing completely. 2. (fading of a habit) the process where a learned behavior or habit slowly disappears because it is no longer rewarded. 3. (blocking of light) the way dust and gas in space block or scatter light from stars.

extinction

US //ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən// UK //ɛkstˈɪŋkʃən// ex·tinc·tion

1 dying out of a species (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the situation where a type of animal or plant stops existing completely.

the permanent disappearance of a species or higher taxonomic group from the earth.

Example

The sudden extinction of the dinosaurs happened millions of years ago.

Example

Conservationists are working tirelessly to prevent the total extinction of the northern white rhino, whose population has dwindled to just a few individuals.
- survival
- preservation
2 fading of a habit (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Psychology

the process where a learned behavior or habit slowly disappears because it is no longer rewarded.

the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the stimulus is no longer reinforced.

Example

If you stop giving the dog treats for sitting, the behavior may face extinction.

Example

The therapist explained that the extinction of the patient's phobic response would require repeated exposure to the trigger without any negative consequences.
- fading
- weakening
- reinforcement
- acquisition

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3 blocking of light (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

the way dust and gas in space block or scatter light from stars.

the reduction in the intensity of light or other radiation as it passes through a medium, particularly interstellar dust.

Example

Astronomers must account for extinction when measuring how bright a distant star really is.

Example

Interstellar extinction can significantly redden the appearance of distant galaxies, as shorter wavelengths of light are scattered more easily by cosmic dust.

Origin

From late Middle English, borrowed from Latin extinctio (“extinction, annihilation”), from extinguere, past participle extinctus (“to extinguish”); see extinguish.