immigration

noun

im·​mi·​gra·​tion ˌi-mə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce immigration (audio)
plural immigrations
: an act or instance of immigrating
specifically : travel into a country for the purpose of permanent residence there
Especially during these months when there has been constant talk of immigration and its myriad challenges, both here and on European national borders … Bob Greene
illegal/legal immigration
immigration reform/policy/law
Drawing historical comparisons is always a fraught process, especially when the subject is as contentious as immigration. James Hannan
There is only a passing comment on Chinese and Japanese immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, plus a short section on the truly global wave of immigrants that swept into America after the Second World War … Nicholas Guyatt
The Middle Ages is the story of successive migrations and immigrationsJanet L. Nelson
immigrational adjective
studied the region's immigrational history

Examples of immigration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That decision came after a string of recent immigration enforcement actions in Pasadena. Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025 In an Iowa speech, Trump also proposed to allow farmers to vouch for longtime migrant workers to prevent their removal under his stricter immigration enforcement policies. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2025 Three of Austin’s highest-ranking officials offered the most comprehensive picture yet Monday of ongoing federal immigration enforcement activities in the area since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 5 July 2025 Meanwhile, the Trump administration is facing criticism from faith leaders following recent immigration enforcement activity. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for immigration

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immigration was in 1625

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immigration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immigration. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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