immigrant

noun

im·​mi·​grant ˈi-mə-grənt 

: one that immigrates: such as

a

: a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence

b

: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it was previously unknown

immigrant adjective

Did you know?

immigrant or emigrant?

Both of these words come from the Latin migrare (“to move from one place to another”), and both have definitions in English that hew closely to their etymological roots, but there is a definite difference between how you would use each one. Emigrant is used in reference to the country that has been left (“an emigrant from Canada”), while immigrant is used in reference the country that one is destined for (“an immigrant to Spain”).

Synonyms

• emigrant
• émigré
• emigré
• in-migrant
• incomer [chiefly British]
• migrant
• out-migrant
• settler

Examples of immigrant in a Sentence

Millions of immigrants came to America from Europe in the 19th century.

The city has a large immigrant population.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over 100 Florida Highway Patrol officers were also recently sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshalls, authorizing them to arrest undocumented immigrants. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025

Despite a 150-year tradition of granting citizenship to everyone born in the United States, Trump said it was never intended for the children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Trump's administration has faced intense scrutiny for its handling of immigrants in recent months. —Michael Nied, People.com, 16 May 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday granted a preliminary injunction that extends a pause on deportations of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas under the Alien Enemies Act. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing immigrant

• anti-immigrant
• illegal alien/immigrant

Rhymes for immigrant

• nonimmigrant

Kids Definition

immigrant

noun

im·​mi·​grant ˈim-i-grənt 

1

: a person who comes to a country to live there

2

: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it did not occur previously

immigrant adjective