immigrate

verb im·mi·grate \ ˈi-mə-ˌgrāt \

Definition of immigrate

immigrated; immigrating

intransitive verb

:to enter and usually become established; especially :to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence

transitive verb

:to bring in or send as immigrants

—

immigration

play \ˌi-mə-ˈgrā-shən\ noun

—

immigrational

play \ˌi-mə-ˈgrā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See immigrate defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of immigrate from the Web

Galli's parents, Elsa and Marco Amidei, immigrated to the United States from the Modena region of Italy in 1950.

— karen berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "Pastificio marks 40 years of Italian fare in Highwood," 22 Aug. 2017
Crossville's soccer teams are filled almost exclusively with kids whose parents immigrated from Mexico and Guatemala to work in the poultry plants that opened nearby over the past two decades.

— anna claire vollers, AL.com, "Immigration transformed this rural Alabama town; the principal fought to keep the school together," 8 Aug. 2017
Muraoka immigrated to the U.S. from Yokohama, Japan in 1915 and built a thriving agriculture business over three decades in Chula Vista.

— allison sampite-montecalvo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Honoring Japanese roots, Muraoka Elementary opens in Chula Vista," 17 July 2017
After immigrating to Los Angeles from a small village in Guatemala called Totonicapan at the age of 10, she was bullied.

— allie fasanella, Teen Vogue, "Vanessa Tahay Is the 18-Year-Old Slam Poet Talking About Immigration and Bullying," 30 June 2017
Diabate said the family began the process to immigrate to the U.S. in 2005.

— pat mcdonogh, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville immigrants share stories of terror, love and courage on their road to America," 29 June 2017
On immigrating to New York: Coming over as an immigrant of color, that's always a challenge.

— jonah flicker, Esquire, "Marcus Samuelsson on How 'Claiming' a Culture's Food Is Not the Same as Loving It," 28 June 2017
Born on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, Stirrup (1873-1957) immigrated to Key West in 1888 at age 15 and worked as a carpenter’s apprentice.

— dorothy jenkins fields, miamiherald, "Miami pioneer’s descendants return to South Florida for biennial family reunion," 28 June 2017
On immigrating to New York: Coming over as an immigrant of color, that's always a challenge.

— jonah flicker, Esquire, "Marcus Samuelsson on How 'Claiming' a Culture's Food Is Not the Same as Loving It," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immigrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of immigrate

Latin immigratus, past participle of immigrare to remove, go in, from in- + migrare to migrate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1623

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IMMIGRATE Defined for English Language Learners

immigrate

verb

Definition of immigrate for English Language Learners

: to come to a country to live there

IMMIGRATE Defined for Kids

immigrate

verb im·mi·grate \ ˈi-mə-ˌgrāt \

Definition of immigrate for Students

immigrated; immigrating

:to come into a foreign country to live

Headscratcher for immigrate

Immigrate and emigrate are very close in meaning. What's the difference? It depends on a person's point of view. Emigrate stresses leaving a place, while immigrate focuses on entering a new one.

Learn More about immigrate

See words that rhyme with immigrate Spanish Central: Translation of immigrate Nglish: Translation of immigrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of immigrate for Arabic speakers

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immigrate

Definition of immigrate

immigration

immigrational

Recent Examples of immigrate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of immigrate

IMMIGRATE Defined for English Language Learners

immigrate

Definition of immigrate for English Language Learners

IMMIGRATE Defined for Kids

immigrate

Definition of immigrate for Students

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immigrate

Definition of immigrate

immigration

immigrational

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