migrant

American  

[mahy-gruhnt] / ˈmaɪ grənt /

adjective

1. migrating, especially of people; migratory.

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noun

1. a person or animal that migrates.

2. a person who attempts to permanently relocate to a new country, but who may be subject to removal by the government of that country: unaccompanied child migrants.

   undocumented migrants;

   unaccompanied child migrants.

3. Also called migrant worker.  a person who moves from place to place to get work, especially a farm laborer who harvests crops seasonally.

migrant British  

/ ˈmaɪɡrənt /

noun

1. a person or animal that moves from one region, place, or country to another

2. an itinerant agricultural worker who travels from one district to another

3. 1. an immigrant, esp a recent one

   2. ( as modifier )

      a migrant hostel

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adjective

1. moving from one region, place, or country to another; migratory

Other Word Forms

• nonmigrant adjective
• unmigrant adjective

Etymology

Origin of migrant

1665–75; < Latin migrant- (stem of migrāns ), present participle of migrāre. See migrate, -ant

Example Sentences

Indian truckers say they are being unfairly targeted after a horrific accident triggered extra scrutiny of migrant drivers and tighter regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

After the ruling, ICE released guidance directing agents to generally give migrants slated for removal to a third country “at least 24 hours” notice, but as little as six hours in “exigent circumstances.”

From Los Angeles Times

The outcome isn’t clear in Honduras, an impoverished nation that relies heavily on U.S.-bound migrants.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Ultimately, our goal has always been to ease the suffering of migrants and refugees,” said Patrick Okrut, Uganda’s commissioner responsible for migration.

From The Wall Street Journal

Along Chile's desert border with Peru, dozens of undocumented migrants line up under the hot sun to try to seek a way out of the country.

From Barron's

Related Words

• emigrant
• evacuee
• expatriate
• immigrant
• traveler