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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
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 Today bleached, dead white coral is seen everywhere — a die-off due to warming, polluted waters. Lea Lane, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
Share [Findings] Inland waters are emitting previously unaccounted-for levels of carbon dioxide, and freshwater insects are flourishing even as terrestrial insects are dying off. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 But climate change and appealing to younger palates, as older fans of heavy reds die off, make the challenge existential for many. Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune Europe, 19 Oct. 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 14 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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