migratory

American  

[mahy-gruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈmaɪ grəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

Sometimes migrative

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 British  

/ ˈmaɪɡrətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by migration

2. nomadic; itinerant

---

migratory Scientific  

/ mī′grə-tôr′ē /

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

Etymology

Origin of migratory

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

Example Sentences

Another major UN assessment, published on Tuesday as the summit opened, warned that migratory freshwater fish populations crucial to river health and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people are in freefall and risk collapse.

From Barron's

The assessment highlights hundreds of migratory fish species that require coordinated international action.

From Science Daily

As well as providing enough food for 200 million people globally, he said migratory freshwater fish have immense diversity which needs protection.

From BBC

Environmental advocates have called for the city to take less water to help the lake reach a healthy level and support an ecosystem that is vital for migratory birds.

From Los Angeles Times

It has led Butterfly Conservation to declare the large tortoiseshell a resident breeding species in the country once again, as opposed to a migratory one.

From BBC

Related Words

• seasonal
• transient