assimilation

The process of a smaller cultural group adopting the customs and ways of the main group.

• Assimilation changed the community’s traditions.
• Some families resisted forced assimilation.
• The debate focused on cultural assimilation and the loss of language.

How to use it: assimilation into something (Assimilation into the wider society took several generations.)

Common phrases: cultural assimilation, forced assimilation, assimilation into society

The process of taking something in or becoming part of a larger whole.

• Assimilation happened gradually.
• The report describes the assimilation of separate units into one organization.
• Complete assimilation requires changes on both sides.

How to use it: assimilation of something into something (The assimilation of these parts into one system took months.)

Similar words: absorption, incorporation, integration

Common phrases: gradual assimilation, complete assimilation, assimilation into something

The process of fitting new information into the way you already understand things.

• Assimilation connects new ideas with familiar ones.
• The teacher encouraged the assimilation of new information.
• Children use assimilation when they fit new experiences into familiar categories.

How to use it: assimilation of something into something (Learning involves the assimilation of new facts into existing knowledge.)

Similar words: absorption, incorporation

Common phrases: assimilation of ideas, assimilation of knowledge

The process by which the body changes substances from food into material for its own cells.

• Assimilation helps the body build new tissue.
• The study measured nutrient assimilation in young animals.
• Poor assimilation of protein can slow growth.

How to use it: assimilation of something (Illness can interfere with the assimilation of nutrients.)

Common phrases: nutrient assimilation, assimilation of nutrients

A change in which one speech sound becomes more like a nearby sound.

• Assimilation can make speech easier.
• Nasal assimilation changes the sound before a particular consonant.
• We heard examples of assimilation in everyday conversation.

Common phrases: consonant assimilation, nasal assimilation, sound assimilation