migrate

[ mahy-greyt ]

verb (used without object)

, mi·grat·ed, mi·grat·ing.

1. to go from one country, region, or place to another.

   Synonyms: relocate, move

   Antonyms: stay, remain

2. to pass periodically from one region or climate to another, as certain birds, fishes, and animals:

   The birds migrate southward in the winter.

3. to shift, as from one system, mode of operation, or enterprise to another.
4. Physiology. (of a cell, tissue, etc.) to move from one region of the body to another, as in embryonic development.
5. Chemistry.
   1. (of ions) to move toward an electrode during electrolysis.
   2. (of atoms within a molecule) to change position.
6. (at British universities) to change or transfer from one college to another.

migrate

/ maɪˈɡreɪt /

verb

1. to go from one region, country, or place of abode to settle in another, esp in a foreign country
2. (of birds, fishes, etc) to journey between different areas at specific times of the year

Derived Forms

• miˈgrator, noun

Other Words From

• migra·tor noun
• inter·migrate verb (used without object) intermigrated intermigrating
• non·migrat·ing adjective noun
• re·migrate verb (used without object) remigrated remigrating
• un·migrat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of migrate¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin migrātus (past participle of migrāre “to move from place to place, change position or abode”), equivalent to migrā- verb stem + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of migrate¹

C17: from Latin migrāre to change one's abode

Synonym Study

Migrate, emigrate, immigrate are used of changing one's abode from one country or part of a country to another. To migrate is to make such a move either once or repeatedly: to migrate from Ireland to the United States. To emigrate is to leave a country, usually one's own (and take up residence in another): Each year many people emigrate from Europe. To immigrate is to enter and settle in a country not one's own: There are many inducements to immigrate to South America. Migrate is applied both to people or to animals that move from one region to another, especially periodically; the other terms are generally applied to movements of people.

Example Sentences

The people in the area today are mostly farmers of the Ndebele ethnic group, whose ancestors migrated from the north in several waves starting about 4000 years ago.

From Science Magazine

Economists warn that even a small increase in tariffs on Mexico’s goods could lead to a rise in unemployment and poverty here — and prompt more people to migrate to the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

As of this writing, bird flu has been detected in more than 10,000 wild birds, which is concerning as many of these species continue to migrate to other parts of the world.

From Salon

Mr Suryavanshi, a farmer from Bihar who had migrated to Mumbai for employment, worked as a bouncer in a nightclub and at a public toilet, he told Indian Express newspaper.

From BBC

Thirdly, much of the migration appears to originate from the Sikh-dominated Indian state of Punjab and neighbouring Haryana, which has traditionally seen people migrating overseas.

From BBC

Related Words

• drift
• emigrate
• immigrate
• roam
• shift
• trek
• wander