migratory

adjective

mi·​gra·​to·​ry ˈmī-grə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by migration

2

: wandering, roving

Synonyms

• 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

Because of it, the migratory raptors that are protected under state and federal law forced the school, known as the Eagles, to rearrange their football and soccer schedules, switching to day games instead of night. —Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025

Many of them are migratory, traveling between here and the Caribbean or Central or South America. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025

Some are happily established, while others are trapped in a migratory nightmare or even detained between borders. —Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

Given the migratory nature of many species, conservation success will depend on collaboration across borders, particularly in high seas areas. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 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