assimilation

noun

as·​sim·​i·​la·​tion ə-ˌsi-mə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce assimilation (audio)
1
a
: an act, process, or instance of assimilating
The clash of lifestyles has made assimilation difficult.
b
: the state of being assimilated
2
: the incorporation or conversion of nutrients into protoplasm that in animals follows digestion and absorption and in higher plants involves both photosynthesis and root absorption
3
phonetics : change of a sound in speech so that it becomes identical with or similar to a neighboring sound
the usual assimilation of \z\ to \sh\ in the phrase his shoe
4
: the process of receiving new facts or of responding to new situations in conformity with what is already available to consciousness

Did you know?

What is the difference between acculturation, assimilation, and amalgamation?

Acculturation is one of several forms of culture contact, and has a couple of closely related terms, including assimilation and amalgamation. Although all three of these words refer to changes due to contact between different cultures, there are notable differences between them. Acculturation is often tied to political conquest or expansion, and is applied to the process of change in beliefs or traditional practices that occurs when the cultural system of one group displaces that of another. Assimilation refers to the process through which individuals and groups of differing heritages acquire the basic habits, attitudes, and mode of life of an embracing culture. Amalgamation refers to a blending of cultures, rather than one group eliminating another (acculturation) or one group mixing itself into another (assimilation).

Did you know?

Linguistic assimilation?

There are a handful of words in English that are examples of themselves, representatives of the very things that they describe. One such word is sesquipedalian ("having many syllables" or "characterized by the use of long words"). Another example, in a slightly less obvious fashion, is assimilate. When used as a technical word to describe a certain process of language change, assimilate refers to the habit that some sounds have of becoming more like the sounds that are close to them in a word (see assimilation, sense 3). For instance, the original spelling of immovable in English was inmovable, and over time the n began to sound more like its neighboring m, to the point that it actually became that letter.

Something similar occurred before assimilate was a word in English. Assimilate comes from the Latin prefix ad- (meaning "to, towards") and similis ("similar"). Over time the d of the prefix ad- assimilated itself with the s of similis.

Examples of assimilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web China is accused of running labor transfer programs in which Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities are forced to toil in factories as part of a longstanding campaign of assimilation and mass detention. Simina Mistreanu, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 Shortly thereafter, in 1901, construction began on the Truxton Training School, a Native American boarding school, in alignment with the broader U.S. Indian policy of compelled assimilation. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024 Joseph said the destruction of tribal food systems began when white settlers arrived, eroding community health and forcing assimilation. B. “toastie” Oaster, ProPublica, 19 Jan. 2024 Is assimilation a dishonorable way to stay alive, or is living what matters and honor a mere scutcheon? Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2024 Peete’s parents are well-known and freely admit that RJ’s remarkable assimilation into full-time employment, driving, and social interactions is in part a product of opportunities not afforded to most autistic people. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 Now Jews had legal and political rights, but the question of assimilation remained. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2024 The goal of these schools was forced assimilation, with children — some as young as four — often stripped of their names, their long hair, their native language, and their culture. Maggie Freleng, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2024 Protecting the legacy is especially important, given efforts to extinguish it in boarding schools that forced assimilation and by the removal of sacred objects. Patricia Leigh Brown, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assimilation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assimilacioun "absorption of nutrients," borrowed from Medieval Latin assimilātiōn-, assimilātiō "act of making like, digestion of food, resemblance," going back to Latin assimulātiōn-, assimulātiō "similarity in form, comparison, act of feigning," from assimilāre, assimulāre "to feign, assume the likeness of, cause to resemble, imitate, portray, liken (to)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at assimilate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of assimilation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near assimilation

Cite this Entry

“Assimilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assimilation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

assimilation

noun
as·​sim·​i·​la·​tion ə-ˌsim-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce assimilation (audio)
: the act or process of assimilating
the assimilation of immigrants
especially : the bodily process of changing nutrients (as of digested food) into cells and tissues

Medical Definition

assimilation

noun
as·​sim·​i·​la·​tion ə-ˌsim-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce assimilation (audio)
1
a
: an act, process, or instance of assimilating
b
: the state of being assimilated
2
: the incorporation or conversion of nutrients into protoplasm that in animals follows digestion and absorption and in higher plants involves both photosynthesis and root absorption
3
: the process of receiving new facts or of responding to new situations in conformity with what is already available to consciousness compare apperception
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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