im ‧ mi ‧ gra ‧ tion AC /ˌɪməˈɡreɪʃ ə n, ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ immigration ≠ ↑ emigration , ↑ immigrant ≠ ↑ emigrant ; verb : ↑ immigrate ≠ ↑ emigrate ]
1 . the process of entering another country in order to live there permanently ⇨ emigration :
He called for a common European policy on immigration.
2 . the total number of people who immigrate:
Immigration fell in the 1980s.
3 . ( also immigration control ) the place at an airport, sea port etc where officials check the documents of everyone entering the country
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THESAURUS
▪ terminal a big building where people wait to get onto planes:
The airline uses terminal 4.
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Smoking is prohibited inside the terminal building.
▪ runway a long hard surface on which aircraft land and take off:
The plane was taxiing along the runway.
▪ the tarmac an area covered with tarmac outside airport buildings:
He stepped off the plane onto the tarmac.
▪ check-in (desk) a place where you report your arrival at an airport
▪ departure lounge the place where you wait until your plane is ready to leave
▪ departure gate the place you go through to get on your plane:
Will passengers for flight BA670 please go to the departure gate.
▪ baggage reclaim ( also baggage claim ) American English the place where you collect your cases and bags after a flight
▪ immigration the place where officials check the documents of everyone entering the country:
Be prepared for long queues at immigration.
▪ customs the place where your bags are checked for illegal goods when you enter a country:
We had our bags checked at customs.