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extinction

3 syllables
Quick answer

As a noun, extinction means the action of making or becoming extinct.

Meanings of extinction

9 meanings

noun

  1. The action of making or becoming extinct; annihilation.

  2. astronomyThe absorption or scattering of electromagnetic radiation emitted by astronomical objects by intervening dust and gas before it reaches the observer.

  3. pathologyThe inability to perceive multiple stimuli simultaneously.

  4. psychologyThe fading of a conditioned response over time if it is not reinforced.

  5. No longer active; extinguished

    “the extinction of the volcano”

  6. No longer in existence

    “the extinction of a species”

    Similar: defunctness
  7. The reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation

  8. A conditioning process in which the reinforcer is removed and a conditioned response becomes independent of the conditioned stimulus

    Similar: experimental extinction
  9. The act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning

    “the extinction of the lights”

    Similar: extinguishing, quenching

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

noun: no longer in existence
defunctness
noun: complete annihilation
noun: a conditioning process in which the reinforcer is removed…
experimental extinction
noun: the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning

Words that rhyme with extinction

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Scrabble & Words With Friends: valid word19 points before bonuses.10 letters.
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