Usage of "engender"

engender - be the source or cause of something (learnersdictionary.com)

- cause a particular situation, atmosphere or feeling to occur (Collin Cobuild Dictionary)

(ex) The issue has engendered a considerable amount of debate. (learnersdictionary)

(ex) That sudden creativity has engendered its own literature. (idoceonline dictionary)

(ex) The changes in society were engendered by the war. (idoceonline)

(ex) Every cloud engenders not a storm. (freedictionary)

I have no problem with the dictionary examples. I have made up the example below using the verb.

(1a) Scientists have been trying to figure out what engendered the extinction of dinosaurs.

Am I using the verb correctly? Thank you for your help.