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

But because their populations span international borders, with migratory routes around the globe, sharks and rays need international protection, not just local efforts. —Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

Amid the eucalyptus groves at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, local bug enthusiast Sasha Hernandez squinted through the draping green leaves, searching for flashes of black and orange — the wings of migratory monarch butterflies traveling from west of the Rocky Mountains. —Olivia Maule, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025

Mexico’s willingness to explore counter-migratory politics soon dissipated. —Time, 4 Dec. 2025

Many species, like migratory birds, sea turtles, rely on this invisible global grid for long-distance navigation, orientation, and even hunting. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 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