immigrate

[ im-i-greyt ]

verb (used without object)

, im·mi·grat·ed, im·mi·grat·ing.

1. to come to a country of which one is not a native, usually for permanent residence.
2. to pass or come into a new habitat or place, as an organism.

verb (used with object)

, im·mi·grat·ed, im·mi·grat·ing.

1. to introduce as settlers:

   to immigrate cheap labor.

immigrate

/ ˈɪmɪˌɡreɪt /

verb

1. intr to come to a place or country of which one is not a native in order to settle there Compare emigrate
2. intr (of an animal or plant) to migrate to a new geographical area
3. tr to introduce or bring in as an immigrant

Derived Forms

• ˈimmiˌgrator, noun
• ˈimmiˌgratory, adjective

Other Words From

• immi·grator noun
• un·immi·grating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of immigrate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin immigrātus (past participle of immigrāre “to move into”); im- ¹, migrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of immigrate¹

C17: from Latin immigrāre to go into, from im- + migrāre to move

Synonym Study

See migrate.

Related Words

• arrive
• migrate