# emigration

/ˌɛməˈɡɹeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɛmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. leaving a country

noun · CEFR B2

the act of leaving your home country to live in a new country forever.

For teachers: the act of departing from one's country of residence with the intention of settling permanently elsewhere.

- Economic problems in the 19th century led to mass emigration from Ireland to America.
- The government is concerned that the recent wave of emigration will lead to a significant shortage of skilled healthcare professionals.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'from' to indicate the point of origin.

### 2. a group of emigrants

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a large group of people who are all leaving their country at the same time.

For teachers: a body of emigrants considered collectively. Often used in historical or sociological contexts.

- The local museum tracks the history of the Polish emigration in this city.
- Sociologists studied the mid-century emigration to determine how these communities maintained their cultural identity in a foreign environment.

## Examples

- Economic hardship led to a high rate of emigration from the region.
- The government is concerned that the emigration of young doctors will lead to a shortage of medical staff.
- Mass emigration during the nineteenth century fundamentally reshaped the demographic landscape of rural Europe, as millions sought better opportunities across the Atlantic.

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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.