migration

noun

mi·​gra·​tion mī-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce migration (audio)
Synonyms of migration
: the act, process, or an instance of migrating
watched the migration of the birds overhead
migrational
mī-ˈgrā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce migration (audio)
adjective

Examples of migration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The top five states for net domestic migration are all in the South. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 8 July 2026 Rising ocean temperatures are already changing migration patterns, research suggests. — Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 2026 Scholars think that during this larger migration modern humans likely encountered and interbred with Neanderthals in places such as modern-day Turkey. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 The Great Hunger and subsequent Irish migrations still burden those scattered among cliffs and bogs; and when Tomás emerges from a wood, transformed by a mystical encounter, Liam must push them to finish their task. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for migration

Word History

Etymology

French or Latin; French, from Latin migration-, migratio, from migratus (past participle of migrare to migrate) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at migrate

First Known Use

circa 1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of migration was circa 1527

Phrases Containing migration

Rhymes for migration

See All Rhymes for migration

Browse Nearby Words

migratetics
migration
migrationist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Migration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/migration. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

migration

noun
mi·​gra·​tion
mī-ˈgrā-shən
1
: the act or an instance of migrating
2
: a group of individuals that are migrating

Medical Definition

migration

noun
mi·​gra·​tion mī-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce migration (audio)
: the act, process, or an instance of migrating
migration of larval nematodes to the lungs

More from Merriam-Webster on migration

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for migration

Nglish: Translation of migration for Spanish Speakers

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