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assimilation
/əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃn/
process of becoming similar
The assimilation of immigrants into the local culture is essential for social cohesion.
The process by which immigrants adopt the customs and values of their new community.
formal
The process of absorbing or integrating into a larger group or culture.
The assimilation of new employees into the company culture takes time.
The gradual integration of newcomers into organizational norms and practices.
Cultural assimilation often involves learning the dominant language.
Adopting the language of the majority group as part of cultural integration.
In sociology, assimilation refers to the merging of minority groups into the dominant culture. In biology, it can mean the absorption of nutrients.
technical
The process by which one sound in a word becomes similar to another sound, especially in phonetics.
In English, the pronunciation of 'assimilation' involves assimilation of the /n/ sound to the /m/ sound.
The /n/ in 'assimilation' changes to /m/ to match the following /m/ sound, demonstrating phonetic assimilation.
Common in phonology when adjacent sounds influence each other, e.g., 'impossible' (im- + possible).
Collocations
cultural assimilationthe process of adopting a dominant culturerapid assimilationquick integration into a new cultureforced assimilationcompulsory adoption of a dominant culture
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish assimilation from acculturation
Assimilation implies full adoption of the dominant culture, while acculturation allows for retaining elements of the original culture. For example, immigrants may acculturate by learning the local language but not fully assimilate if they maintain their traditions.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Always check whether 'assimilation' refers to cultural, linguistic, or biological processes. The meaning shifts significantly across fields.
Word Origin
From Latin *assimilatio(n-)*, meaning 'likeness' or 'similarity', derived from *assimilare* ('to make similar'), from *ad-* ('to') + *similis* ('like'). The word entered English in the 16th century with the sense of 'resemblance' and later acquired the modern meanings of cultural and linguistic processes.
Usage Notes
Assimilation can be voluntary or forced. In linguistics, it is a phonetic process where sounds become more alike. Avoid confusing it with 'accommodation' (adjusting behavior to fit in) or 'acculturation' (adopting elements of a culture while retaining original identity).
Word Breakdown
as-
prefix meaning 'to' or 'toward'
prefixsimilis
Latin root meaning 'like' or 'similar'
root-ation
suffix forming nouns of action or process
suffixEnglish Dictionary