Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of combining separate parts into a unified whole: This is the general meaning, referring to the creation of a single, cohesive system from distinct elements.
   • The incorporation of individuals into a group with equal status: Specifically, the process of bringing people, often from different racial, ethnic, or social groups, into full and equal participation in a society or organization.
   • A mathematical operation: In calculus, the process of finding the integral of a function, which is the inverse operation of differentiation.

Usage

• General Combination: Use "integration" to describe the process of merging systems, organizations, or ideas.
  • The integration of the two departments improved efficiency.
• Social Inclusion: Use "integration" to discuss the policy or process of ending segregation and achieving equal participation.
  • The school was a model of successful racial integration.
• Mathematics: Use "integration" specifically in the context of calculus.
  • The student struggled with the integration of the complex function.

Advanced Usage

• Economic Integration: The process of harmonizing economic policies between different states or regions.
  • The European Union is a prime example of deep economic integration.
• Systems Integration: In technology, the process of linking different computing systems and software applications physically or functionally.
  • His job involves the integration of new software with our existing database.

Variants and Related Words

• Integrate (verb): To combine one thing with another so that they become a whole.
  • The company plans to integrate the new technology into its main product line.
• Integral (adjective): Necessary to make a whole complete; fundamental.
  • Trust is an integral part of any strong relationship.
• Disintegration (noun): The opposite process; the breaking into parts.
  • The disintegration of the empire happened over several decades.

Synonyms

• Unification: The process of being united or made into a whole.
• Incorporation: The inclusion of something as part of a whole.
• Amalgamation: The action, process, or result of combining or uniting.
• Assimilation (in social contexts): The process of fully understanding and absorbing information or a group into a different culture.

Related Phrases

• Vertical Integration: A business strategy where a company controls multiple stages of its supply chain.
  • The film studio achieved vertical integration by acquiring a chain of theaters.
• Horizontal Integration: The process of a company increasing production of goods or services at the same part of the supply chain.
  • The merger was an example of horizontal integration within the banking sector.

Idioms

Note: "Integration" itself is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. The related verb "integrate" is used in phrases. - To integrate into: To become part of a group or society. - It took her a few years to fully integrate into the new community.

Noun

1. an operation used in the calculus whereby the integral of a function is determined
2. the act of combining into an integral whole
   • a consolidation of two corporations
   • after their consolidation the two bills were passed unanimously
   • the defendants asked for a consolidation of the actions against them
3. the action of incorporating a racial or religious group into a community