IPA: /ˈdaɪˌɔf/
KK: /daɪɔf/
The process in which a group of living things, such as plants or animals, dies out or becomes extinct.
The die-off of the fish population was alarming to the local fishermen.
The word 'dieoff' is formed from 'die' (from Old English 'dīgan', meaning to cease living or to perish) and 'off' (meaning away or from). The term 'dieoff' refers to a significant reduction in a population, particularly in the context of species or organisms that perish or cease to exist in a particular area.
Think of 'dying' as ceasing to live and 'off' as being away — together, they help you remember that 'dieoff' means a significant number of deaths in a population.