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.
Ankur Hooda’s film explores the erosion of farming as a way of life, and the impact of mass urban migration on villages and those left behind. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 The Illusion Of 'Clean' Data Over the past decade, companies have poured enormous effort into data quality, governance frameworks, master data initiatives and cloud migrations. — Kevin Campbell, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The magazine’s modern incarnation covers bird migrations and competitive stone skipping, oversized roadside attractions and how to grow roses. — HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov separately rejected Spain’s accusation that Russia was connected to the Ceuta migration crisis. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 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

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