immigration

American  

[im-i-grey-shuhn] / ˌɪm ɪˈgreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of immigrating.

2. a group or number of immigrants.

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immigration British  

/ ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən /

noun

1. the movement of non-native people into a country in order to settle there

2. the part of a port, airport, etc where government employees examine the passports, visas, etc of foreign nationals entering the country

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Other Word Forms

• anti-immigration adjective
• immigrational adjective
• immigratory adjective
• nonimmigration noun
• preimmigration noun
• proimmigration adjective

Etymology

Origin of immigration

First recorded in 1650–60; im- ¹ + migration

Example Sentences

On immigration, the keystone of Trump’s policy platform, he faced a number of setbacks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

But anecdotal evidence suggests they’ve been across most of the government, with the main exceptions being in the immigration and law enforcement and security agencies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The assumption, he says, was always that the U.S. would tend to the retirement of the boomers through immigration.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But upon arrival in Shanghai, Quiggin said he was singled out at immigration.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

So I followed everybody else, and I figured out that you have to go through immigration and pick up your luggage before you get to the meeting point.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola

Related Words

• exodus
• migration
• travel