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Technical Vocabularynoun · /maɪˈɡreɪʃən/

migration

In simple English

Migration is a critical operation in software engineering and infrastructure management. It involves planning, executing, and validating the transfer of data or systems from a source to a destination. Common types include database migrations (moving data between databases), cloud migrations (moving systems to cloud platforms), version migrations (upgrading from one software version to another), and infrastructure migrations (moving from on-premises to cloud or between cloud providers). Teams must carefully plan migrations to avoid data loss, ensure system continuity, and minimize business disruption. In daily tech work, you will hear migration discussed in planning meetings, sprint planning, and deployment cycles.

Understand what data or system migration means and how to plan and execute migrations safely in tech projects.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility5/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓We need to run a migration script before deployment
✓The migration went smoothly with zero downtime
✓Let us plan the migration carefully to avoid data loss

Real examples

in a standup

"Yesterday we completed the user database migration to PostgreSQL without any issues."

in a code review

"This migration file adds the new customer_id column to the accounts table."

in a team meeting

"We should schedule the cloud migration for next quarter to minimize disruption to users."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Do not confuse migration (moving data or systems) with iteration (repeating a process) or deployment (releasing code to production).

✕We will migrate the servers tomorrow morning.
✓We will perform a server migration tomorrow morning.— Migrate is the verb form; migration is the noun. Use the noun form when discussing the event or process.
✕The migration took only 5 minutes to develop.
✓The migration took only 5 minutes to execute.— Migrations are executed or run, not developed. The development happens during the planning phase.
✕We need migration for better performance.
✓We need to perform a migration for better performance.— Use the complete phrase with a verb (perform, execute, plan) or use migration as a modifier before a noun.

Other forms

noun

migration

"The database migration is scheduled for Friday evening."

noun (plural)

migrations

"We handle multiple migrations across different systems each quarter."

verb

migrate

"We need to migrate all customer data to the new platform."

adjective

migration (used as modifier)

"The migration plan includes three phases and a rollback strategy."

Often used with

database migrationMoving data from one database system to another; very common in tech projects
cloud migrationMoving systems and infrastructure to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP
perform a migrationExecute or carry out a migration process
migration planDetailed strategy outlining steps, timeline, and risk mitigation
migration scriptCode that automates the movement of data or configuration
zero-downtime migrationMigration completed without interrupting service availability
rollback strategyPlan to revert to the previous state if migration fails

Similar words

data transferMore general term, but migration implies a complete, planned move rather than simple copying
upgradeUpgrade focuses on improving to a newer version; migration is broader and includes lateral moves
transitionTransition is less specific; migration implies moving data or systems to a new destination

Opposites

rollbackrevertdowngrade

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your team is moving the database to a new server. Which sentence sounds most natural?

Complete the sentence

2. The _______ plan includes testing, execution, and verification phases.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses migration incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using the word migration: 'We need to move our data from the old system to the new system carefully.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "migration" in a standup this week?

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