immigration

American  

[im-i-grey-shuhn] / ˌɪm ɪˈgreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of immigrating.

2. a group or number of immigrants.

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immigration British  

/ ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən /

noun

1. the movement of non-native people into a country in order to settle there

2. the part of a port, airport, etc where government employees examine the passports, visas, etc of foreign nationals entering the country

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Other Word Forms

• anti-immigration adjective
• immigrational adjective
• immigratory adjective
• nonimmigration noun
• preimmigration noun
• proimmigration adjective

Etymology

Origin of immigration

First recorded in 1650–60; im- ¹ + migration

Example Sentences

And it was a description of technology, management and processes in the unit and not the whole staff or the immigration rules.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Hipolito’s trial began on Tuesday and was centered around a high-profile immigration operation in downtown L.A. on June 24.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

But anecdotal evidence suggests they’ve been across most of the government, with the main exceptions being in the immigration and law enforcement and security agencies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Economists have long argued that immigration would fill the gap.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

To the empire trying to control trade and immigration across the seas.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Related Words

• exodus
• migration
• travel