Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

assimilation

noun

/əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən/

Definition

The process of absorbing and integrating new information, ideas, or experiences into existing knowledge or cultural norms.

Examples

The assimilation of immigrants into the local culture can take many years.
In science, assimilation refers to the way organisms convert nutrients into usable energy.
The child’s assimilation of new vocabulary helped improve their communication skills.

Meaning

Assimilation can refer to both the cognitive process in which individuals incorporate new information into their understanding and the social process where individuals or groups adopt the culture or practices of another group.