immigrant

American  

[im-i-gruhnt] / ˈɪm ɪ grənt /

noun

1. a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.

2. an organism found in a new habitat.

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adjective

1. of or relating to immigrants and immigration.

   a department for immigrant affairs.

2. immigrating.

immigrant British  

/ ˈɪmɪɡrənt /

noun

1. 1. a person who comes to a country in order to settle there Compare emigrant

   2. ( as modifier )

      an immigrant community

2. an animal or plant that lives or grows in a region to which it has recently migrated

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Other Word Forms

• nonimmigrant noun

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

Example Sentences

For many undocumented immigrants, the choices are few.

From Los Angeles Times

Times have rarely been this tough for immigrants, as we all know.

From Los Angeles Times

Ayaz is a rare South Asian immigrant among Hollywood’s largely white senior executive ranks.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The Catholic brand in the United States is an immigrant church."

From BBC

Leo, on the other hand, has called the treatment of undocumented immigrants extremely disrespectful and implored that they be treated humanely.

From Salon