extinction
- 01 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.
Simple“The sudden extinction of the dinosaurs happened millions of years ago.”
In context“Conservationists are working tirelessly to prevent the total extinction of the northern white rhino, whose population has dwindled to just a few individuals.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“If you stop giving the dog treats for sitting, the behavior may face extinction.”
In context“The therapist explained that the extinction of the patient's phobic response would require repeated exposure to the trigger without any negative consequences.”
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“Astronomers must account for extinction when measuring how bright a distant star really is.”
In context“Interstellar extinction can significantly redden the appearance of distant galaxies, as shorter wavelengths of light are scattered more easily by cosmic dust.”
Synonyms
“University of Washington researchers are working with the Samish Indian Nation to bring this 24-armed creature back from the brink of extinction.”
“Researchers aren't releasing butterflies to prevent extinction anymore—they're releasing them to expand a recovering population.”
From late Middle English, borrowed from Latin extinctio (“extinction, annihilation”), from extinguere, past participle extinctus (“to extinguish”); see extinguish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.