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.
DeSantis, who has made a name for himself as an immigration hardliner in Republican politics, has accused lawmakers of trying to weaken immigration enforcement in the state by removing those powers from him. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025 An immigration detainer means federal agents should be notified by local law enforcement before an individual is released so they can be handed over for removal proceedings. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 The Oklahoma School Board approved a rule requiring K-12 schools to collect families' immigration statuses when enrolling children. Steph Solis, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025 While immigration is a complex issue, leadership requires listening to the will of the people — not just playing to the loudest voices in a party’s base. Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near immigration

Cite this Entry

“Immigration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immigration. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on immigration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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