Migration is usually a response to changes in temperature, food supply, or the amount of daylight, and is often undertaken for the purpose of breeding. Mammals, insects, fish, and birds all migrate. Understanding what migration is—who migrates, where they come from, and where they settle—and what causes migration—both the crises and the opportunities—can affect our understanding of critical issues such as national security, economics, climate change, global health, and more. The meaning of MIGRATION is the act, process, or an instance of migrating. How to use migration in a sentence. MIGRATION meaning: 1. the process of animals travelling to a different place, usually when the season changes: 2. the…. Learn more.