migration

[ mahy-grey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the process or act of migrating.
2. a migratory movement:

   preparations for the migration.

3. a number or body of persons or animals migrating together.
4. Chemistry. a movement or change of position of atoms within a molecule.
5. Physics. diffusion ( def 3a ).

migration

/ maɪˈɡreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of migrating
2. a group of people, birds, etc, migrating in a body
3. chem a movement of atoms, ions, or molecules, such as the motion of ions in solution under the influence of electric fields

migration

/ mī-grā′shən /

1. The seasonal movement of a complete population of animals from one area to another. Migration is usually a response to changes in temperature, food supply, or the amount of daylight, and is often undertaken for the purpose of breeding. Mammals, insects, fish, and birds all migrate. The precise mechanism of navigation during migration is not fully understood, although for birds it is believed that sharp eyesight, sensibility to the Earth's magnetic field, and the positions of the Sun and other stars may play a role.
2. The movement of one atom or more, or of a double bond, from one position to another within a molecule.
3. The movement of ions between electrodes during electrolysis.

Derived Forms

• miˈgrational, adjective

Other Words From

• mi·gration·al adjective
• nonmi·gration noun
• premi·gration adjective
• remi·gration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of migration¹

First recorded in 1605–15, migration is from the Latin word migrātīon- (stem of migrātiō ). See migrate, -ion

Example Sentences

This “Sixth Migration” of massive human migration to Texas is the larger story of the book, and it is a significant story.

From The Daily Beast

Smart and ambitious, he seemed to epitomize the success of that northern migration experienced by millions of southern blacks.

From The Daily Beast

The great migration to the North through World War II had given black people at least some clout as they began to vote Democratic.

From The Daily Beast

About two years after 9/11, there was this mass migration to New York.

From The Daily Beast

As the economy soured, Californians began to think in terms of limited resources and came to see migration as a zero sum game.

From The Daily Beast

Migration to distant occupations or to foreign lands was but for the adventurous few.

From Project Gutenberg

There was probably nothing at that time in atmospheric conditions to check such a migration.

From Project Gutenberg

The northward migration of the Pygmies seems to have been accompanied or followed by that of a full grown people.

From Project Gutenberg

We now understand how the Phoenicians, whose ancestors arrived in the second Semitic migration, came to call their land “Canaan.”

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the Phoenicians and the Amorites belong to the first stage of the second great Arabian migration.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exodus
• flight
• journey
• movement
• shift
• transfer