nomadic

Adjective

nomadic (comparative more nomadic, superlative most nomadic)

1. Of or related to itinerant herdsmen.
   • For centuries, the nomadic tribes of Central Asia used colorful textiles called suzanis as seating, prayer mats, bedding and dividers in their yurts – the traditional tents that were their homes.2024 December 19, Amy Gunia, “Young Uzbeks are finding new markets for traditional handicrafts online”, in CNN Business

   Synonyms:

   pastoral

2. (figuratively) Of or related to any habitually wandering person or animal.
   • Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.2013 January 1, Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore, “Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 1, archived from the original on 05 Mar 2016, pages 47–48
   • Neither vehicle has a set home base. Young explains: "They are 'nomadic' nationally employed assets that, rather than having a regular home depot, are generally deployed and maintained following a programme of works across the full network.2022 September 7, Tom Allett, “At the cutting edge of NR's track work”, in RAIL, number 965, page 40

   Synonyms:

   nomad, wandering, peripatetic, itinerant, itinerate, unsettled, vagabond, roving, drifting, roaming