die-off

1 of 2

noun

: a sudden sharp decline of a population of animals or plants that is not caused directly by human activity

die off

2 of 2

verb

died off; dying off; dies off

intransitive verb

: to die sequentially either singly or in numbers so that the total number is greatly diminished

Examples of die-off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The world’s coral populations have shrunk by 50% since the 1950s, and global emissions reductions are required to prevent more die-offs—but in the more immediate term, conservation scientists see possibility in super corals to help maintain these rich ecosystems. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024 My installation is one of many aimed at helping to reverse a die-off that is happening not only in the Maldives, but across the globe. Betsy Andrews, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
They're already hemmed in by farmland or other development, so these iconic wetlands are getting squeezed and dying off in mass mortality events instead. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Those debates may shift or die off depending on who takes or maintains control of the House, Senate and White House. Maria Curi, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for die-off 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1697, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of die-off was in 1697

Dictionary Entries Near die-off

Cite this Entry

“Die-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/die-off. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

die-off

noun
ˈdī-ˌȯf
: a sudden sharp drop in the numbers of plants or animals in a group
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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