immigrant

noun

im·​mi·​grant ˈi-mə-grənt 

: one that immigrates: such as

a

: a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence

b

: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it was previously unknown

immigrant adjective

Did you know?

immigrant or emigrant?

Both of these words come from the Latin migrare (“to move from one place to another”), and both have definitions in English that hew closely to their etymological roots, but there is a definite difference between how you would use each one. Emigrant is used in reference to the country that has been left (“an emigrant from Canada”), while immigrant is used in reference the country that one is destined for (“an immigrant to Spain”).

Synonyms of immigrant

• migrant
• emigrant
• settler
• refugee

Examples of immigrant in a Sentence

Millions of immigrants came to America from Europe in the 19th century.

The city has a large immigrant population.

Recent Examples on the Web

Somali refugees and immigrants began arriving in the 1990s, after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown and the country plunged into an ongoing civil war. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025

That’s the approach to immigrants. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025

As the daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, before becoming an immigrant herself in Spain. —Cepee Tabibian, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2025

The eatery has also supported fundraisers for community organizations, served food at pride and Earth Day festivals, and handed out resource cards for immigrants’ constitutional rights. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing immigrant

• anti-immigrant

Rhymes for immigrant

• nonimmigrant

Kids Definition

immigrant

noun

im·​mi·​grant ˈim-i-grənt 

1

: a person who comes to a country to live there

2

: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it did not occur previously

immigrant adjective