migratory

adjective

mi·​gra·​to·​ry ˈmī-grə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by migration

2

: wandering, roving

Synonyms of migratory

• migrant

Examples of migratory in a Sentence

most of the apple crop is picked by migratory workers

migratory birds heading south for the winter

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the past year, this warbler carried a multisensor geolocator backpack throughout his migratory journey, recording the long trek from his breeding grounds in Anchorage, Alaska, to a yet unknown winter refuge and back again. — Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is especially popular for spotting migratory birds in fall, while historic Fort Morgan dates back to the 1800s. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2026

Among other consequences, the professor and others say, the lake’s deterioration has international implications for the 12 million migratory birds that stop here every year. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026

Nearly 70% of bird species worldwide are migratory, and about 80% of migratory birds travel at night, according to the National Audubon Society. — The Summit Daily, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for migratory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• feudatory
• gustatory

Kids Definition

migratory

adjective

mi·​gra·​to·​ry ˈmī-grə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: having a way of life that includes making migrations

migratory workers