Added 9 October 2026
extinction
/ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/ noun
In Latin: exstinctiō, extinctiō Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about extinction at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
No longer active; extinguished.
the extinction of the volcano
-
No longer in existence.
the extinction of a species
- The reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation.
Origin
From late Middle English, borrowed from Latin extinctio (“extinction, annihilation”), from extinguere, past participle extinctus (“to extinguish”); see extinguish.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)