immigrant
Americannoun
-
a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.
-
an organism found in a new habitat.
adjective
-
of or relating to immigrants and immigration.
a department for immigrant affairs.
noun
-
-
a person who comes to a country in order to settle there Compare emigrant
-
( as modifier )
an immigrant community
-
-
an animal or plant that lives or grows in a region to which it has recently migrated
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of immigrant
An Americanism first recorded in 1780–90; from Latin immigrant-, stem of immigrāns “moving into,” present participle of immigrāre “to move into”; equivalent to im- 1 + migrant
Explanation
The United States is a country of immigrants — people who come to one country from another country, in hopes of having a better life. An inscription on the base of the Statue of Liberty welcomes new immigrants: "Give me your tired, your poor, / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." Don't confuse the words immigrant and emigrant. If you come to a country, you are an immigrant and you emigrate from somewhere else. Ireland has many emigrants to America; America has many immigrants from Ireland. If your parents were immigrants to the United States, but you were born here, you are a citizen automatically.
Vocabulary lists containing immigrant
Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Industrial Revolution - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Africa - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A city council member, she is an Indian immigrant and urban planner.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
“We’ve been asking for $500 million from the state budget to create an emergency fund for our immigrant workers affected by the raids,” said Veronica Alvarado with CNIWJ.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
Copley came from Irish immigrant stock, but made himself a gentleman.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
"Everyone is an immigrant or a refugee or migrant," Gere said at the launch of the partnership between his foundation and the Hertie School, a Berlin-based public policy university.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
And at the very moment I fall back for good he glimpses who I am, and I see him crouch down, like a broken child, shielding from me his wide immigrant face.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
