extirpation

[ ek-ster-pey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Biology, Ecology. (of a species) the state or condition of having become locally or regionally extinct:

   Forest elephants in Central Africa have experienced a 65 percent reduction in their populations, and extirpation is imminent if the poaching rate persists.

2. Medicine/Medical. the removal or excision of a tumor, organ, etc.:

   Minor controllable bleeding was the only noted complication associated with lymph node extirpation in two of the thirty-nine performed procedures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of extirpation¹

First recorded in 1540–50, for an earlier sense; extirpat(e) ( def ) + -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

Fortunately, the pumas’ extirpation from the region doesn’t mean they’ll be extinct everywhere in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

"That transition is attributed to a marine heat wave, urchin overgrazing, historical extirpation of the sea otter and recent mass mortality of the sunflower star. Digging even deeper, the sunflower star demise was itself driven by two stressors: a sea star wasting disease epidemic and a marine heat wave."

From Science Daily

The groups said the company’s taking of water has “caused the extirpation of native species and the destruction of riparian habitat — clearcut harm to the public trust.”

From Los Angeles Times

“A series of genetic tests on the harvested animal confirmed that it was a gray wolf, a species not sighted in that part of Michigan since the likely extirpation of wolves from the state in the early part of the 20th century,” the agency said Wednesday.

From Seattle Times

“Extirpation of northern spotted owls from major portions of their historical range is likely in the near future without management of barred owls,” the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times