integration
the act of combining into a wholeThe integration of new employees into the team was smooth.
The process of including new team members without disruption.
the process of combining or coordinating separate elements into a unified whole
The software supports the integration of third-party plugins.
The software allows external tools to be combined with its system.
Cultural integration is key to social cohesion.
Cultural integration refers to the blending of diverse groups into a harmonious society.
Often used in technical, social, and business contexts to describe unification or incorporation.
mathematics: the process of finding an integral
The integration of the function f(x) = x^2 from 0 to 1 is 1/3.
The mathematical process of calculating the area under the curve of f(x) = x^2 between 0 and 1 yields 1/3.
In calculus, integration is the reverse process of differentiation.
sociology: the process by which minority groups become part of the dominant culture
The city's policy aims to promote integration among diverse ethnic communities.
The policy encourages minority groups to adopt the dominant culture's norms and values.
Contrast with 'assimilation,' which implies losing original cultural identity.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish integration from assimilation
Integration allows groups to maintain their identity while participating in a larger whole (e.g., cultural integration). Assimilation requires groups to adopt the dominant culture's norms, often losing their original identity.
Gold Rule
Use 'integration' for harmonious combination
Integration suggests a positive, cohesive process where elements retain their essence while contributing to a unified system. Example: 'The integration of new software improved workflow efficiency.'
Word Origin
From Latin *integratio(n-)*, from *integrare* 'to make whole,' from *integer* 'whole, intact' (from *in-* 'not' + *tangere* 'to touch'). First recorded in English in the mid-17th century.
Usage Notes
Integration implies a harmonious combination where the parts retain their identity while contributing to a unified whole. Avoid confusing with 'assimilation' (loss of identity) or 'differentiation' (separation into distinct parts).