French word

extinction

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛkstɛ̃ksjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounextinction

Example

L'extinction des espèces inquiète les scientifiques.

The extinction of species worries scientists.

Illustration for extinction (extinction)

More examples

Le risque d'extinction des animaux a motivé des mesures de protection.

The risk of animal extinction motivated protective measures.

Core concept

A final flame, species, or legal effect going out for good.

Common phrases

  • l'extinction des espèces

    extinction of species

  • le risque d'extinction

    risk of extinction

Similar words

disparition: The state of no longer existing or being present.
perte: The loss of something formerly held or owned.

Definition in French

Fait de cesser d'exister ou de fonctionner de façon définitive, spécialement pour une espèce, un feu ou un droit.

Word origin

French extinction comes from Latin extinctio, from exstinguere, 'to extinguish', and extends from fire and light to species and rights.

Usage tips

  • Extinction is feminine, so it appears as l'extinction after la elides before the vowel.

Other meanings

  • disappearancenoun
  • turning offnoun
  • abolitionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • extincteurfire extinguishernoun

Word lists with this word