noun
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the act or an instance of migrating
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a group of people, birds, etc, migrating in a body
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chem a movement of atoms, ions, or molecules, such as the motion of ions in solution under the influence of electric fields
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The seasonal movement of a complete population of animals from one area to another. Migration is usually a response to changes in temperature, food supply, or the amount of daylight, and is often undertaken for the purpose of breeding. Mammals, insects, fish, and birds all migrate. The precise mechanism of navigation during migration is not fully understood, although for birds it is believed that sharp eyesight, sensibility to the Earth's magnetic field, and the positions of the Sun and other stars may play a role.
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The movement of one atom or more, or of a double bond, from one position to another within a molecule.
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The movement of ions between electrodes during electrolysis.
Other Word Forms
- migrational adjective
- nonmigration noun
- premigration adjective
- remigration noun
Etymology
Origin of migration
First recorded in 1605–15, migration is from the Latin word migrātīon- (stem of migrātiō ). See migrate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This pattern suggests that early humans likely entered Sahul along at least two separate migration routes, both occurring around the same time.
From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026
Dimon also discussed extensively other issues, including AI, banking regulations and even the migration of the bank’s employees from New York City to Texas.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
The McCloud’s salmon, trucked around Lake Shasta to complete their ocean migration, have started to come back.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
“The job market is really slow. So the No. 1 driver for migration between metro areas is affordability.”
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
As soon as the bay froze over, the bears headed out to hunt seals again and begin their annual migration north.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
