integration

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The process of combining separate parts so that they work as one whole.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'of' or 'with': the integration of systems.

   Patterns

   • the integration of something
   • integration with something

   The integration of the two software systems took months.

   Closer integration between teams improved results.

   The app offers integration with your calendar.

2. 2noununcountable

   The process of bringing people of different groups into equal, shared participation in a community.

   Grammar: Social use; often 'integration into society'.

   Patterns

   • integration into something
   • integration of someone

   Language classes support the integration of newcomers.

   The school promotes racial integration.

   Integration into the local community took time.

3. 3noununcountablemathematics

   In calculus, the process of finding the integral of a function, such as an area under a curve.

   Grammar: Mathematical term.

   Patterns

   • integration by parts

   Integration gives the area under the curve.

   Students learn integration after differentiation.

   Integration by parts is a common technique.

Common combinations

social integration

Social integration helps newcomers feel at home.

full integration

Full integration of the systems will take a year.

integration into

Integration into the team was smooth.

European integration

The politician supports European integration.

seamless integration

The software offers seamless integration with other tools.

Synonyms and how they differ

assimilation

Assimilation suggests a group losing its distinct identity, while integration suggests joining while keeping identity.

merger

Merger describes companies joining formally and is narrower.

unification

Unification means making one from many, often countries.

incorporation

Incorporation means taking something in as part, but not necessarily equal.

Opposites

Word family

integrate verb

to combine into a whole

integrated adjective

combined into a whole

integral adjective

essential as part of a whole

integrity noun

honesty, or wholeness

disintegration noun

breaking into pieces

Commonly confused: integration or integrity?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “integration”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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