assimilation

[ uh-sim-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of assimilating, or of absorbing information, experiences, etc.:

   the need for quick assimilation of the facts.

2. the state or condition of being assimilated, or of being absorbed into something.
3. the process of adopting the language and culture of a dominant social group or nation, or the state of being socially integrated into the culture of the dominant group in a society:

   assimilation of immigrants into American life.

4. Physiology. the conversion of absorbed food into the substance of the body.
5. Botany. the total process of plant nutrition, including photosynthesis and the absorption of raw materials.
6. Sociology. the merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups, not involving biological amalgamation.
7. Phonetics. the act or process by which a sound becomes identical with or similar to a neighboring sound in one or more defining characteristics, as place of articulation, voice or voicelessness, or manner of articulation, as in [gram, -pah] for grandpa. Compare dissimilation ( def 2 ).

assimilation

/ ə-sĭm′ə-lā′shən /

1. The conversion of nutrients into living tissue; constructive metabolism.

assimilation

1. The process by which a person or persons acquire the social and psychological characteristics of a group: “Waves of immigrants have been assimilated into the American culture .”

Other Words From

• anti·as·simi·lation noun adjective
• nonas·simi·lation noun
• reas·simi·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assimilation¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin assimilātiōn- (stem of assimilātiō ). See assimilate, -ion

Example Sentences

For decades in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids were removed from their families as part of an assimilation policy from successive governments.

From BBC

The double-edged sword of achieving powerful social status as a marginalized person in American society is the assimilation necessary to accomplish it.

From Slate

In her research, Karen coined the phrase “fashion identity assimilation” to describe the ways individuals use style to gain acceptance by specific cultural or social groups.

From Salon

As individuals, we engage in this sort of assimilation all the time: We dress a certain way at work to communicate our professionalism to our bosses; we dress another way at parties to communicate that we’re up-to-date on the latest style trends.

From Salon

Most people, save for the most powerful and wealthy individuals, have to engage in this assimilation in some capacity.

From Salon