integration

[in-ti-grey-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of combining into an integral whole.

   Synonyms: combination

2. an act or instance of integrating a racial, religious, or ethnic group.

3. an act or instance of integrating an organization, place of business, school, etc.

4. Mathematics.,  the operation of finding the integral of a function or equation, especially solving a differential equation.

5. behavior, as of an individual, that is in harmony with the environment.

6. Psychology.,  the organization of the constituent elements of the personality into a coordinated, harmonious whole.

7. Genetics.,  coadaptation.

integration

1. In calculus, the process of calculating an integral. Integration is the inverse of differentiation, since integrating a given function results in a function whose derivative is the given function. Integration is used in the calculation of such things as the areas and volumes of irregular shapes and solids.

2. Compare differentiation

integration

1. The free association of people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds (see ethnicity); a goal of the civil rights movement to overcome policies of segregation that have been practiced in the United States.

Those favoring integration of schools by such forceful means as busing or affirmative action have frequently argued that integration of schools will lead to integration of society as a whole. (See separate but equal.)

Other Word Forms

• anti-integration adjective
• de-integration noun
• nonintegration noun
• prointegration adjective
• self-integration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of integration¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin integrātiōn-, stem of integrātiō “renewal,” equivalent to integrāt(us) “renewed, restored” (past participle of integrāre; integrate ( def. ) ) + -iō -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Mr Stephens said the demand on policing could be reduced by better integration of refugees.

From BBC

And once some form of data integration infrastructure exists, its uses tend to expand, often into areas far from its original mandate.

From Salon

One of the first big signs of his integration was Dowman being taken on the first team's warm-weather training camp to Dubai in January aged just 14.

From BBC

It was also an indication that a balance must be achieved between the players who won the title last season and the integration of £300m worth of new acquisitions.

From BBC

The changing demographics led to issues with integration and language barriers, as well as suspected criminality by some, said Mr Lamont.

From BBC

Related Words

• assimilation