immigration
ih-mih-GRAYSHN
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.”
noun
1
The act of moving into a country you were not born in, in order to live there permanently.
"Her grandparents' immigration from Poland happened just after the war."
"The country's immigration policy changed after the election."
"Immigration has shaped the food and music of many large cities."
2
The passport and border checks travellers go through when entering a country.
"The queue at immigration took almost an hour."
"At immigration, an officer checked my passport and asked why I was visiting."
"Have your documents ready when you reach immigration."
How to use immigration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPeople moving to a country to live there, or the border checkpoint where that gets processed.
Common mistake
Immigration is moving IN to a country; emigration is moving OUT of one — same event, viewed from opposite sides of the border.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
immigration policy
illegal immigration
immigration officer
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Word forms
- Plural
- immigrations
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for immigration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
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.
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