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assimilation

Definition of Assimilation

(noun) The process of members in a subordinate group adopting aspects of a dominant group.

Examples of Assimilation

Assimilation Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: as·sim·i·la·tion

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /uh-sim-uh-lAY-shuhn/
  • British English – /uh-sim-i-lAY-shuhn/

International Phonetic Alphabet

  • American English – /əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən/
  • British English – /əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃən/

Usage Notes

  • Plural: assimilations
  • Also called absorption.
  • To (verb) assimilate and undergo assimilation an individual must adapt to new societal and cultural patterns and behaviors until that are (verb) assimilated into society.

Additional Information

Related Terms

Works Consulted

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Cite the Definition of Assimilation

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “assimilation.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved April 26, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/assimilation/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

assimilation. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/assimilation/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “assimilation.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/assimilation/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“assimilation.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/assimilation/>.