English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

assimilation

uh-sih-muh-LAY-shuhn

Assimilation (noun) means the process of taking in and absorbing something, whether ideas, nutrients, or a group of people into a wider culture. Example: “The assimilation of new employees into the company culture took months.”

noun
1
The process of taking in and absorbing something, whether ideas, nutrients, or a group of people into a wider culture.
"The assimilation of new employees into the company culture took months."
"Cultural assimilation was once a common goal of immigration policy."
2
In linguistics, a sound change in which one speech sound becomes more like a neighboring sound.
"The "n" in "input" often shifts to "m" through assimilation."

How to Use Assimilation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe process of becoming similar to, or absorbed into, something else.

Common pairings
cultural assimilation process of assimilation

Word Forms

assimilations plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “assimilation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of new employees into the company culture took months.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin assimilatio, from "assimilate" plus the noun suffix "-ion".

Origin: Medieval Latin

Antonyms

Rhymes for assimilation

See all rhymes for assimilation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “assimilation” mean?

The word “assimilation” means the process of taking in and absorbing something, whether ideas, nutrients, or a group of people into a wider culture. In plain terms, the process of becoming similar to, or absorbed into, something else.

How do you pronounce “assimilation”?

“Assimilation” is pronounced uh-sih-muh-LAY-shuhn (/əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “assimilation” in a sentence?

Here is “assimilation” used in a sentence: “The assimilation of new employees into the company culture took months.”

What is the opposite of “assimilation”?

The opposite of “assimilation” — its antonyms — is dissimilation.

What part of speech is “assimilation”?

“Assimilation” is a noun.

Where does the word “assimilation” come from?

The word “assimilation” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin assimilatio, from "assimilate" plus the noun suffix "-ion".

Is “assimilation” a common word?

“Assimilation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “assimilation” have?

“Assimilation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of taking in and absorbing something, whether ideas, nutrients, or a group of people into a wider culture.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial