migratory

adjective

mi·​gra·​to·​ry ˈmī-grə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by migration

2

: wandering, roving

Synonyms

• migrant
• mobile

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

As institutions fractured, migratory movements pushed not from Africa to Europe, but from Europe to Africa, and a new order began to emerge, Augustine interpreted the signs of discordant times. —Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025

Guests often spot sea lions, harbor porpoises, and migratory birds along the way, offering a natural perspective of the bay’s ecosystem. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 5 May 2025

This migratory destination appeared devoid of significant prey resources. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

During a visit, guests can keep their eyes to the skies in search of American goshawks and bald eagles all throughout the year, while summer brings the opportunity to spot a wealth of migratory species including the upland sandpiper, Bohemian waxwing and snow bunting. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

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
• extempore
• feudatory

Kids Definition

migratory

adjective

mi·​gra·​to·​ry ˈmī-grə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: having a way of life that includes making migrations

migratory workers