immigrate

[im-i-greyt]

verb (used without object)

immigrated, immigrating 

1. to come to a country of which one is not a native, usually for permanent residence.

2. to pass or come into a new habitat or place, as an organism.

verb (used with object)

immigrated, immigrating 

1. to introduce as settlers.

   to immigrate cheap labor.

immigrate

/ ˈɪmɪˌɡreɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to come to a place or country of which one is not a native in order to settle there Compare emigrate

2. (intr) (of an animal or plant) to migrate to a new geographical area

3. (tr) to introduce or bring in as an immigrant

Other Word Forms

• immigrator noun
• unimmigrating adjective
• immigratory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of immigrate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin immigrātus (past participle of immigrāre “to move into”); im- ¹, migrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of immigrate¹

C17: from Latin immigrāre to go into, from _im- + migrāre to move

Synonym Study

See migrate.

Related Words

• arrive 
• migrate