migration

noun

mi·​gra·​tion mī-ˈgrā-shən 

: the act, process, or an instance of migrating

watched the migration of the birds overhead

migrational

mī-ˈgrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of migration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Biden administration soon appeared flummoxed by surging migration that caused chaos at the border, leading to public support for tougher restrictions. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025

This can include observing a whale migration; trekking to be in the path of totality for a solar eclipse; chasing the Aurora Borealis; and other fleeting moments of possible magic. —Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025

Rural-to-urban migration, education, and industry have fueled the city’s expansion. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

From December through April, gray whales make their migration to Baja California to breed before returning to Alaska, and from June through October, visitors may spot blue whales during their migration. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing migration

• pre-migration

Rhymes for migration

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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 

: the act, process, or an instance of migrating

migration of larval nematodes to the lungs