assimilate

Everyday

1. To take in and understand new information fully. tree →
2. To become part of a new group or country, taking on its ways (or to make someone do so). tree →
3. (science) To take in food or nutrients and make them part of the body. tree →
4. To sort or group things, such as stories, by putting them into a type or class. tree →

In the lessons

In history and civics, immigrants assimilate (sometimes by choice, sometimes forced, which is often unfair); in science, plants assimilate carbon; in learning, you assimilate facts. Phrases: «assimilate into», «assimilate information».

Examples

• It takes time to assimilate so many new facts. tree →
• The family assimilated into life in Canada. tree →
• Plants assimilate carbon dioxide. tree →
• She quickly assimilated the rules of cricket. tree →
• Forcing people to assimilate can harm their culture. tree →
• The body assimilates vitamins from food. tree →

Note

Noun: assimilation. Double s. In history, forced assimilation (for example of Indigenous children) is a serious wrong.