migration

noun mi·gra·tion \ mī-ˈgrā-shən \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of migration

: the act, process, or an instance of migrating

watched the migration of the birds overhead

—

migrational

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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Recent Examples of migration from the Web

American diplomats in Central America and Haiti warned the administration that ending TPS and forcing a mass migration to struggling countries with unstable infrastructure would be disastrous.

— luke darby, GQ, "The Trump Administration Is Forcing Out Thousands of Immigrants Against Its Own Ambassadors’ Warnings," 9 May 2018
Fisheries biologists for the Corps and the states of Oregon and Washington also are identifying springs and other cool-water refuges along the salmon migration path.

— rocky barker, idahostatesman, "Northwest rivers are warming. And that may threaten your favorite fishing spot | Idaho Statesman," 7 May 2018
What's more, the species' lengthy migration from birthing grounds in Mexico to feeding grounds in the Arctic becomes extremely challenging without a tail to power their journey.

— katarina zimmer, National Geographic, "Rise in Tailless Whale Sightings Has Scientists Concerned," 7 May 2018
Crane migration lags behind the first swans and geese by three weeks.

— john schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "Sandhill cranes make their annual short and noisy Interior Alaska stopover," 7 May 2018
Landlords, employers and others were given new duties to check people’s migration status.

— The Economist, "Britain needs a national identity register," 5 May 2018
California has had net domestic out-migration for a much longer period.

— kathleen pender, San Francisco Chronicle, "If people are fleeing the Bay Area for cheaper housing, why is it still so costly?," 4 May 2018
The reports didn't break down regional migration trends by income.

— andrew khouri, latimes.com, "High housing costs are driving out lower-income Californians, reports say," 3 May 2018
Closer to the ground, more than 15 species of hummingbirds are outside the tent door as spring and fall migrations ratchet up the wildlife, and Great Horned Owls are known to venture incredibly close to camp.

— peter reese, Popular Mechanics, "4 Reasons Why You Need To Hike the Sonoran Desert," 2 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of migration

French or Latin; French, from Latin migration-, migratio, from migratus (past participle of migrare to migrate) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at migrate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1527

in the meaning defined above

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MIGRATION Defined for Kids

migration

noun mi·gra·tion \ mī-ˈgrā-shən \

Definition of migration for Students

: the act or an instance of moving from one place to another often on a regular basis the spring migration of birds

Medical Dictionary

migration

noun mi·gra·tion \ mī-ˈgrā-shən \

medical Definition of migration

: the act, process, or an instance of migrating

migration of larval nematodes to the lungs

Learn More about migration

Spanish Central: Translation of migration Nglish: Translation of migration for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of migration for Arabic speakers

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migration

Definition of migration

migrational

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Origin and Etymology of migration

MIGRATION Defined for Kids

migration

Definition of migration for Students

Medical Dictionary

migration

medical Definition of migration

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migrational

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