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

Founded in 1847 by immigrants seeking religious freedom, Pella still feels like a small slice of the Netherlands on Midwestern soil. —Staff, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Eiguren’s grandparents were among the thousands of immigrants who settled in Boise starting in the late 1800s, giving rise to one of the largest Basque communities outside Europe. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

The conversations, many carried out through interpreters, were designed to coincide with the nation’s 250th birthday in a city where immigrants helped build the nation and officials believe they are needed now more than ever. —Tim Craig, Washington Post, 7 June 2026

According to the Migration Policy Institute, immigrants from the countries on the second list received forty-six per cent of all visas issued in 2024. —Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 7 June 2026

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