extinction

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The situation in which a species or group no longer exists.

   Many scientists believe a meteor caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

2. 2
   noun

   The complete destruction or ending of something.

   Pollution threatens many animals with extinction.

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

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