migrate

[mahy-greyt]

verb (used without object)

migrated, migrating 

1. to go from one country, region, or place to another.

   Synonyms: relocate, move
   Antonyms: stay, remain

2. to pass periodically from one region or climate to another, as certain birds, fishes, and animals.

   The birds migrate southward in the winter.

3. to shift, as from one system, mode of operation, or enterprise to another.

4. Physiology.,  (of a cell, tissue, etc.) to move from one region of the body to another, as in embryonic development.

5. Chemistry.

   1. (of ions) to move toward an electrode during electrolysis.

   2. (of atoms within a molecule) to change position.

6. (at British universities) to change or transfer from one college to another.

migrate

/ maɪˈɡreɪt /

verb

1. to go from one region, country, or place of abode to settle in another, esp in a foreign country

2. (of birds, fishes, etc) to journey between different areas at specific times of the year

Other Word Forms

• migrator noun
• intermigrate verb (used without object)
• nonmigrating adjective
• remigrate verb (used without object)
• unmigrating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of migrate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of migrate¹

C17: from Latin migrāre to change one's abode

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

"This is the difference between families being able to stay in their communities or being forced to migrate," Mr Perri said.

From BBC

It is thought Nancy had migrated from abroad due to the way she arrived, and the direction of travel, before the crash.

From BBC

As a low-impact exercise that doesn't require a partner, it became popular with older people when it first migrated to the UK - but it appears that's all changing.

From BBC

They’re all right with Latinos who “look” a certain way or live in communities with large undocumented populations becoming second-class citizens, whether they just migrated here or can trace their heritage to before the Pilgrims.

From Los Angeles Times

After graduating, Dudek spent nearly a decade working for tech companies that contracted with the federal government on modernization projects, before migrating to several jobs within federal agencies themselves.

From Salon

Related Words

• drift 
• emigrate 
• immigrate 
• roam 
• shift 
• trek 
• wander