migrant

American  

[mahy-gruhnt] / ˈmaɪ grənt /

adjective

1. migrating, especially of people; migratory.

---

noun

1. a person or animal that migrates.

2. a person who attempts to permanently relocate to a new country, but who may be subject to removal by the government of that country: unaccompanied child migrants.

   undocumented migrants;

   unaccompanied child migrants.

3. Also called migrant worker.  a person who moves from place to place to get work, especially a farm laborer who harvests crops seasonally.

migrant British  

/ ˈmaɪɡrənt /

noun

1. a person or animal that moves from one region, place, or country to another

2. an itinerant agricultural worker who travels from one district to another

3. 1. an immigrant, esp a recent one

   2. ( as modifier )

      a migrant hostel

---

adjective

1. moving from one region, place, or country to another; migratory

Other Word Forms

• nonmigrant adjective
• unmigrant adjective

Etymology

Origin of migrant

1665–75; < Latin migrant- (stem of migrāns ), present participle of migrāre. See migrate, -ant

Example Sentences

The Department of Homeland Security initially said a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle by three migrants on 14 January.

From BBC

When BBC Verify previously looked into the economic impact of migrants, Ben Bridle from the Migration Observatory told us their contribution depended on many factors.

From BBC

Ministers want to double the time it takes for most migrants to qualify for permanent residence from five to 10 years.

From BBC

But the proposal is fraught with problems, according to a joint statement from nine non-governmental charity groups who rescue migrants in the Mediterranean.

From Barron's

Sargeant over the years strove to convince U.S. policymakers that the best way to ensure energy security, stem the outflow of migrants and curb China was by working with Venezuelan authorities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• emigrant
• evacuee
• expatriate
• immigrant
• traveler