völkerwanderung

noun

völ·​ker·​wanderung

ˈfə̄lkə(r)ˌvändəˌru̇ŋ

plural völkerwanderungen

-ŋən

: the migration of nations

especially : the movement into southern and western Europe of the Teutonic peoples, Huns, and Slavs from the 2d century a.d. to about the 11th century reaching the peak in the 5th and 6th centuries and closing with the settling of Norsemen in England and France

Word History

Etymology

German (translation of Latin migratio gentium), from völker nations (plural of volk people, nation, from Old High German folc) + wanderung wandering, migration, from Middle High German wanderunge, from wandern to wander + -unge -ing (from Old High German -unga)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!