Plural of extinction; instances or events of species, groups, or populations being completely eliminated and ceasing to exist.
Plural form of 'extinction' from Latin 'extinctio' (a putting out, extinguishing). The term became prominent in paleontology after the 18th-century discovery of fossil species no longer alive.
There have been five major extinction events in Earth's history, and we're possibly in a sixth one right now caused by humans—which is why understanding extinctions has become one of science's most important topics!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.