migratory

adjective

ˈmī-grə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce migratory (audio)
Definition of migratorynext
as in migrant
having a way of life that involves moving from one region to another typically on a seasonal basis most of the apple crop is picked by migratory workers migratory birds heading south for the winter

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of migratory Backyard flocks usually contract bird flu through direct contact with infected wild birds, such as migratory ducks and geese, or indirectly through environments contaminated by wild bird saliva, nasal secretions and droppings. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 The year-old eastern imperial eagle from Serbia, started flying in August and later set off on his first migratory flight toward the Middle East, only to be captured by poachers, sold illegally and retrieved in a daring cross-border mission. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 Made up of vast mangrove forests, brackish marshlands, and tons of tiny islands, the refuge shelters a wide variety of animals, including American alligators and crocodiles, Florida panthers, manatees, river otters, bottle-nosed dolphins, and more than 200 species of migratory birds. — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026 The Center for Biological Diversity said Tuesday that the Wildlife Service must enforce the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects migratory birds. — Matthew Daly, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for migratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for migratory
migrant
Adjective
  • For months, anti-migrant rhetoric had been building across South Africa.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • New civic movements working alongside established anti-migrant vigilante groups are demanding the removal of undocumented migrants and tighter border enforcement, setting their own deadline of June 30.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of migrant

Browse Nearby Words

migrators
migratory
mikado
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Cite this Entry

“Migratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/migratory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on migratory

Nglish: Translation of migratory for Spanish Speakers

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