assimilation

[ uh-sim-uh-ley-shuh n ]

/ əˌsɪm əˈleɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR assimilation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of assimilating, or of absorbing information, experiences, etc.: the need for quick assimilation of the facts.

the state or condition of being assimilated, or of being absorbed into something.

the process of adapting or adjusting to the culture of a group or nation, or the state of being so adapted: assimilation of immigrants into American life.

Physiology. the conversion of absorbed food into the substance of the body.

Botany. the total process of plant nutrition, including photosynthesis and the absorption of raw materials.

Sociology. the merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups, not involving biological amalgamation.

Phonetics. the act or process by which a sound becomes identical with or similar to a neighboring sound in one or more defining characteristics, as place of articulation, voice or voicelessness, or manner of articulation, as in

[gram-pah] /ˈgræm pɑ/ for grandpa.Compare dissimilation(def 2).

Nearby words

assignee, assignment, assignor, assimilable, assimilate, assimilation, assimilationism, assimilative, assiniboin, assiniboine, assiniboine, mount

Origin of assimilation

First recorded in 1595–1605, assimilation is from the Latin word assimilātiōn- (stem of assimilātiō). See assimilate, -ion

Related formsan·ti·as·sim·i·la·tion, noun, adjectivenon·as·sim·i·la·tion, nounre·as·sim·i·la·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for assimilation

Actors can inhabit the person through the sheer force of their assimilation.
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today, Turkey in the German imagination has mostly to do with immigration, assimilation, and EU membership.
The 20th-Century Dictator Most Idolized by Hitler|William O’Connor|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conway refers to the other important factors as the “three ‘A’s”: air conditioning, assimilation, and airfare.
The Ghost Hotels of the Catskills|Brandon Presser|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Assimilation was more urgent that it may have been for other immigrants.
How Jews Created American Modernism|Andrew Romano|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Wonder of Wonders approaches the topic of assimilation from many angles.
The Strange Power of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’|Jen Vafidis|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Thus amalgamation of races insures the conditions of primary social contacts most favorable for assimilation.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology|Robert E. Park
The agreements of Matthew and Luke against Mark can further be accounted for by the hypothesis of assimilation.
Sources of the Synoptic Gospels|Carl S. Patton
By producing the above effects, it prepares the constituents of the soil for assimilation by plants.
The Elements of Agriculture|George E. Waring
Previously acquired food habits appear to affect materially the process of digestion and assimilation.
Human Foods and Their Nutritive Value|Harry Snyder
The digestive apparatus of the young animal is small, and its powers of assimilation are very energetic.
The Stock-Feeder's Manual|Charles Alexander Cameron

Word Origin and History for assimilation

assimilation

early 15c., "act of assimilating," from Old French assimilacion, from Latin assimilationem (nominative assimilatio) "likeness, similarity," noun of action from past participle stem of assimilare (see assimilate). Psychological sense is from 1855.

Medicine definitions for assimilation

assimilation

[ ə-sĭm′ə-lā′shən ]

n.

The incorporation of digested substances from food into the tissues of an organism.

The amalgamation and modification of newly perceived information and experiences into the existing cognitive structure.

Science definitions for assimilation

assimilation

[ ə-sĭm′ə-lā′shən ]

The conversion of nutrients into living tissue; constructive metabolism.

Culture definitions for assimilation

assimilation

The process by which a person or persons acquire the social and psychological characteristics of a group: “Waves of immigrants have been assimilated into the American culture.”

assimilation

noun

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Origin of assimilation

Examples from the Web for assimilation

Word Origin and History for assimilation

assimilation

Medicine definitions for assimilation

assimilation

n.

Science definitions for assimilation

assimilation

Culture definitions for assimilation

assimilation