Assimilation | Sociological Terms | NCERT

A process of cultural unification and homogenisation by which newly entering or subordinate groups lose their distinctive culture and adopt the culture of the dominant majority.
Assimilation may be forced or voluntary, and usually remains incomplete or blocked where the subordinate or entering group is not accorded full membership on equal terms.
For example, if an immigrant community is discriminated against by the dominant majority, and is not allowed to intermarry.