a
ssi
mi
la
tion
Plural
assimilations
1
in the theories of Jean Piaget: the application of a general schema to a particular instance
2
the process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure
Synonyms:
3
a phonological process where a sound becomes more similar to a neighboring sound in terms of one or more of its phonetic features
Assimilation is a phonological process in which a sound changes to become more similar to a neighboring sound in terms of its articulatory features. This can occur in terms of place, manner, or voicing. For example, in the phrase "input," the /n/ sound may be pronounced more like an /m/ sound, resulting in [ɪmpʊt] due to the following bilabial /p/. Assimilation is important in phonetics and linguistics because it reflects how sounds interact in spoken language, contributing to the natural flow and efficiency of speech while influencing pronunciation patterns across different languages.
4
the process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion
Synonyms:
5
the social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another
Synonyms:
6
the state of being assimilated; people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger national family