die-off

[ dahy-awf, -of ]

noun

1. a sudden, natural perishing of large numbers of a species, population, or community.

die-off

/ dī′ôf′ /

1. A sudden, severe decline in a population or community of organisms as a result of natural causes. Local die-offs can be caused by such factors as an unusual or extreme weather pattern, an outbreak of disease, or toxic algal blooms in a body of water. Widespread or global die-offs in which a species or group of species becomes extinct are generally associated with rapid climate change or other large-scale environmental dislocations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of die-off¹

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase die off

Idioms and Phrases

Perish one by one, as in A celibate community, the Shakers are dying off . [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

The dewatering of the river and the mass fish die-off, which were first reported by the news website SJV Water, have sparked an outpouring of concern in the community.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2022, a mass fish die-off occurred in the Klamath River after successive landslides dumped fire-scarred soil and debris into the watershed, dropping dissolved oxygen levels for several hours.

From Los Angeles Times

Coral bleaching is similar to but more extensive than the kelp forest die-off along the coasts of South Australia and California.

From Los Angeles Times

The consequences of a widespread urchin die-off for marine ecosystems could be dire, biologists say.

From Science Magazine

Within 4 months, the die-off spanned 1000 kilometers of coastline in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• abate
• decrease
• diminish
• dwindle
• ebb
• fade
• fall back
• lessen
• reduce
• retreat
• shrink
• sink
• subside
• taper
• wane