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 notesIn plain EnglishThe process of becoming similar to, or absorbed into, something else.
Common pairings
cultural assimilation
process of assimilation
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Word forms
- Plural
- assimilations
Fill the gap
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The _____ of new employees into the company culture took months.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin assimilatio, from "assimilate" plus the noun suffix "-ion".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for assimilation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
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.
