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

Getting the balance right between being on brand and genuinely helping customers is a tricky one for businesses to grapple with as they migrate to AI.

Read more on BBC

Each year, billions of songbirds migrate between breeding and wintering grounds.

Read more on Science Daily

"India has a high number of people migrating to other countries or overstaying their visas and that interferes with the country's reputation."

Read more on BBC

Wild geese are known for migrating in the autumn and the spring.

Read more on Literature

The lake, which provides vital habitat for migrating birds, “is in trouble and urgently needs our help,” said Martha Davis, a leader of the nonprofit Mono Lake Committee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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