immigration
Immigration (noun) means the act of moving into a country you were not born in, in order to live there permanently. Example: “Her grandparents' immigration from Poland happened just after the war.”
How to Use Immigration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPeople moving to a country to live there, or the border checkpoint where that gets processed.
Immigration is moving IN to a country; emigration is moving OUT of one — same event, viewed from opposite sides of the border.
Word Forms
immigrations plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandparents' _____ from Poland happened just after the war.
Etymology
From immigrate plus the noun-forming suffix -ion.
Related Words
Rhymes for immigration
See all rhymes for immigration →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “immigration” mean?
The word “immigration” means the act of moving into a country you were not born in, in order to live there permanently. In plain terms, people moving to a country to live there, or the border checkpoint where that gets processed.
How do you pronounce “immigration”?
“Immigration” is pronounced ih-mih-GRAYSHN (/ˌɪmɪˈɡɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “immigration” in a sentence?
Here is “immigration” used in a sentence: “Her grandparents' immigration from Poland happened just after the war.”
What part of speech is “immigration”?
“Immigration” is a noun.
Is “immigration” a common word?
“Immigration” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “immigration” have?
“Immigration” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of moving into a country you were not born in, in order to live there permanently.
What is the difference between immigration and emigration?
They describe the same journey from opposite viewpoints. Immigration is moving into a country to live there, seen from the destination's side. Emigration is leaving your own country to settle elsewhere, seen from the departure side. Someone who emigrates from Italy immigrates to Canada — one person, two perspectives.
What is the difference between immigration and migration?
Migration is the general movement of people from one place to another and can be temporary, seasonal, or even within the same country. Immigration is more specific: moving permanently into a country you were not born in. All immigration is a form of migration, but not all migration is immigration.
What is an example of immigration?
Immigration is moving to a new country to settle there long-term. Examples include a family moving from India to the United Kingdom to build a life, or a worker relocating permanently from Mexico to the United States. The defining feature is settling in a country other than your birthplace.
Why is immigration important?
Immigration shapes a country's population, workforce, and culture. Newcomers often fill labour shortages, start businesses, pay taxes, and bring new skills and ideas. It also raises significant questions about borders, integration, and public services, which is why immigration is so widely debated by governments and the public.