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

However, in most migratory birds, partners travel separately. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 8 July 2026

Backyard flocks usually contract bird flu through direct contact with infected wild birds, such as migratory ducks and geese, or indirectly through environments contaminated by wild bird saliva, nasal secretions and droppings. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

The year-old eastern imperial eagle from Serbia, started flying in August and later set off on his first migratory flight toward the Middle East, only to be captured by poachers, sold illegally and retrieved in a daring cross-border mission. — ABC News, 30 June 2026

There are four major flyways in North America, the north-south routes that migratory birds take between Canada and Central and South America each year. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 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