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

I am a 50-year-old immigrant, married, and my spouse is the same age.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

As an immigrant, especially being Asian-American and the “model minority,” I understand her guidance as we grew up: Do things that are safe, make straight A’s, get into college.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

“I’m not seeing that solidarity happen enough,” he said, referring to the relationship between the city’s Black churches and the largely Latino immigrant community.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Beyond intermarriages, Black residents in California are also likely to have immigrant friends or neighbors, she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

There was no military history in my family, but for them, as for many immigrant families, American heroes—and the schools they attended—carried a certain cachet.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore