Immigration: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：settling permanently in another country (immigration)

immigration 🔊

/ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən/

Moving to a new country to live there forever.

Immigration concept: A diverse family arriving at an airport with suitcases and one-way tickets, looking at a multilingual welcome sign.

settling permanently in another country 🔊

➕

/ˈsɛtlɪŋ pɚˈmænəntli ɪn əˈnʌðər ˈkʌntri/

The process or act of moving to a different country with the intention of establishing permanent residence there.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'immigratio', from 'in-' meaning 'into' and 'migrare' meaning 'to move', referring to the act of moving into a new place.

💡 Mnemonic

Remember 'I'm migrating IN' – immigration involves moving INTO a new country to settle permanently.

📖 Example

Her family's immigration to Canada opened up new educational opportunities for her. 🔊 The immigration of her family to Canada created new educational opportunities for her.

🔗 Collocations

immigration policy – government regulations that control immigration

illegal immigration – entering a country without proper authorization

immigration officer – an official who processes immigration applications

🔄 Synonyms

migration (n.) – the movement of people from one region or country to another

relocation (n.) – the act of moving to a new place to live or work

🚫 Antonyms

emigration (n.) – the act of leaving one's own country to settle permanently in another

🌱 Derivatives

immigrant (n.) – a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country

immigrate (v.) – to come to live permanently in a foreign country

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'immigration' originates from Latin 'immigratio', entering English via French. It gained prominence in the 19th century during mass migrations, such as to the United States, and is now central to global discussions on policy, multiculturalism, and human mobility, reflecting historical and ongoing population movements.