migrate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to go from one country, region, or place to another.
-
to pass periodically from one region or climate to another, as certain birds, fishes, and animals.
The birds migrate southward in the winter.
-
to shift, as from one system, mode of operation, or enterprise to another.
-
Physiology. (of a cell, tissue, etc.) to move from one region of the body to another, as in embryonic development.
-
Chemistry.
-
(of ions) to move toward an electrode during electrolysis.
-
(of atoms within a molecule) to change position.
-
-
(at British universities) to change or transfer from one college to another.
verb
-
to go from one region, country, or place of abode to settle in another, esp in a foreign country
-
(of birds, fishes, etc) to journey between different areas at specific times of the year
Related Words
Migrate, emigrate, immigrate are used of changing one's abode from one country or part of a country to another. To migrate is to make such a move either once or repeatedly: to migrate from Ireland to the United States. To emigrate is to leave a country, usually one's own (and take up residence in another): Each year many people emigrate from Europe. To immigrate is to enter and settle in a country not one's own: There are many inducements to immigrate to South America. Migrate is applied both to people or to animals that move from one region to another, especially periodically; the other terms are generally applied to movements of people.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of migrate
First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin migrātus (past participle of migrāre “to move from place to place, change position or abode”), equivalent to migrā- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
To migrate means to move from one place to another, sometimes part of a back-and-forth pattern, and sometimes to stay. When we think of the word migrate we think of movement from place to place. Sometimes that movement is seasonal, as when birds migrate north in summer and south in winter. But sometimes a person or group will migrate from one place to another with the intention of settling there. In both cases, there is a definite shift in locales, one temporary, the other permanent.
Vocabulary lists containing migrate
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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!
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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.
Francis made his comments in his message for the Roman Catholic Church's annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees, whose title this year is "Free to Choose Whether to Migrate or to Stay".
From Reuters • May 11, 2023
The headline for this article on the front page - How France Tries to Stop Migrants Even Before They Migrate - seems a bit unfair.
From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2018
Wealth Migrate, a South African crowdfunding platform that was introduced in China this year, is experimenting with $100 real estate investment products.
From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2016
“The Chinese people have the same needs as other investors,” said Scott Picken, the chief executive of Wealth Migrate.
From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2016
Migrate over greater distances...My head buzzed, and I felt a little dizzy.
From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin
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.
