# assimilation

/əˌsɪməˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɐsˌɪmɪlˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assimilation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. cultural/social integration

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the process where a person or group becomes part of a different society by adopting its customs and language.

For teachers: the sociological process by which a minority group or individual gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

- The government created new programs to help with the assimilation of immigrants into the local community.
- Sociologists debate whether full cultural assimilation is a necessary prerequisite for social stability or if pluralism offers a more sustainable model.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'into'.

### 2. learning information

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of fully understanding and absorbing new ideas or information.

For teachers: the cognitive process of absorbing new information into an existing mental framework or schema.

- The quick assimilation of new technology is essential for success in the modern workplace.
- The curriculum is designed to allow for the gradual assimilation of complex mathematical concepts over several semesters.

### 3. biology/nutrition

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the way your body turns food into energy or new tissue.

For teachers: the metabolic conversion of nutrients from food into the fluid or solid substances of the body.

- Poor assimilation of vitamins can lead to health problems even if you eat well.
- The study examined how certain enzymes facilitate the assimilation of nitrogen in various plant species.

### 4. linguistics/speech

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

when a sound in a word changes to sound more like a nearby sound.

For teachers: a phonological process where a speech sound becomes similar or identical to a neighbouring sound.

- In the word 'handbag', the 'n' often sounds like an 'm' because of assimilation.
- Regressive assimilation occurs when a following sound influences the articulation of the preceding phoneme, as seen in many rapid-speech phenomena.

## Examples

- The school helps new students with their cultural assimilation.
- Successful assimilation often depends on whether the local community is welcoming to newcomers and their traditions.
- Sociologists debate whether full assimilation is a necessary goal for immigrants or if a multicultural approach that preserves original identities is more beneficial for social cohesion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.