migratory

Sometimes mi·gra·tive

[mahy-gruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. migrating.

2. periodically migrating.

   a migratory species; migratory workers.

3. pertaining to a migration.

   migratory movements of birds.

4. roving; nomadic; wandering.

migratory

/ ˈmaɪɡrətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by migration

2. nomadic; itinerant

migratory

1. Traveling from one place to another at regular times of year, often over long distances. Salmon, whales, and swallows are all migratory animals.

Other Word Forms

• nonmigratory adjective
• premigratory adjective
• unmigrative adjective
• unmigratory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of migratory¹

First recorded in 1745–55; migrate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

This region shelters not only migratory songbirds but also jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws.

Read more on Science Daily

The Kenyan environmental authority audit said the camp wasn’t located within the core wildlife migratory route, saying the closest wildebeest crossing point on the Sand River is 9 miles away.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The weir, built in 1792, altered the river's flow, blocking migratory fish species, including Atlantic salmon, from reaching vital spawning ground, the trust said.

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The migratory sea creatures disappeared back down into the abyss.

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And any day now, other migratory birds would begin passing through on their long journeys to the south.

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Related Words

• seasonal 
• transient