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

Scientists have also long known that migratory birds and animals such as sea turtles can sense this field and use it to navigate. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026

As the city ranked as posing the greatest threat to migratory birds in the United States, Chicago has an obligation to take action to protect the millions of birds that travel through this region every fall and spring. — Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

But for the vast majority of migratory birds in Georgia and elsewhere in North America, peak fall migration begins in mid-September and continues through October. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Since 1980, roughly half of migratory shorebird species’ populations have declined by more than fifty per cent. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 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