transmigration: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Literary, Religious/Philosophical
Quick answer
What does “transmigration” mean?
The movement of a soul from one body to another after death.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The movement of a soul from one body to another after death; the passing of something from one place or state to another.
The act or process of migrating across boundaries, especially of people moving from one country to another; in philosophy/religion, the doctrine of the soul's rebirth in a new body (metempsychosis).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Equally formal and specialized in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British academic/philosophical texts due to historical colonial and religious studies contexts.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, with near-identical usage patterns. The concept is more commonly expressed with 'reincarnation' in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “transmigration” in a Sentence
transmigration of [the soul/people]belief in transmigrationdoctrine concerning transmigrationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “transmigration” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ancient text suggests the soul may transmigrate into animal forms.
- Populations have transmigrated across the continent for millennia.
American English
- Some belief systems hold that consciousness can transmigrate after death.
- The tribe's history tells of how they transmigrated to this land.
adverb
British English
- The spirit moved transmigratorily from host to host.
adjective
British English
- The transmigratory cycle is central to their cosmology.
- He studied transmigratory patterns in early medieval Europe.
American English
- Transmigratory souls were a common theme in her poetry.
- The report analyzed transmigratory flows in the 19th century.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, philosophy, anthropology, and history to discuss beliefs about the soul or patterns of human migration.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be replaced by 'reincarnation' or 'migration'.
Technical
Used in specific religious/philosophical terminology and some historical demography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “transmigration”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “transmigration”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “transmigration”
- Using it as a fancy synonym for 'migration' in general contexts. Confusing it with 'transmogrification' (a magical change in form).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often synonyms. 'Transmigration' is a more formal, technical, or philosophical term, while 'reincarnation' is the common everyday word. 'Transmigration' can also refer to the migration of people.
Yes, but it is an archaic or highly formal/literary usage. In modern contexts, 'migration', 'emigration', or 'immigration' are standard.
Primarily a noun. The related verb is 'transmigrate'. The adjective is 'transmigratory'.
There is no significant difference. It is a very low-frequency, specialized word in both varieties.
The movement of a soul from one body to another after death.
Transmigration is usually formal, academic, literary, religious/philosophical in register.
Transmigration: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtrænz.maɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtrænz.maɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TRANS (across) + MIGRATION (moving) = moving across (bodies or borders).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (the soul journeys from one body to another).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'transmigration' most precisely and commonly used?