early 15c., "annihilation," from Latin extinctionem/exstinctionem (nominative extinctio/exstinctio) "extinction, annihilation," noun of action from past participle stem of extinguere/exstinguere "quench, wipe out" (see extinguish). Originally of fires, lights; figurative use, the wiping out of a material thing (a debt, a person, a family, etc.) from early 17c.; of species by 1784.
实用例句
1. 30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.
目前，30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面临灭绝的危险。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The centuries-old ritual seems headed for extinction.
延续了几个世纪的仪式似乎要面临消亡。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.
这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. The animals were ruthlessly hunted to the verge of extinction.
