asylum

noun

asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
1
: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary
2
: a place of retreat and security : shelter
3
a
: the protection or security afforded by an asylum : refuge
b
: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying freedom from what is required by law for most people
4
somewhat old-fashioned : an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill

Examples of asylum in a Sentence

She asked for political asylum. She was granted asylum after it was made clear that she would be killed if she returned to her native country.
Recent Examples on the Web Whether Lawson is volunteering at an asylum seekers’ center in the Netherlands, attending a visceral Butoh performance in Japan or visiting Frida Kahlo’s home in Mexico, the underlying theme connecting each story is liberation. Essence, 7 Mar. 2024 Sinema was recently one of the lead negotiators in talks to craft an agreement to improve security along the southern border and overhaul key portions of U.S. asylum law. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 Both Biden and Trump are visiting Texas border communities that have been grappling with large numbers of migrants seeking asylum. Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024 The asylum process offers the prospect of legal work, but requires waiting at least six months after applying for asylum. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Biden, who like Trump is visiting the southern border on Thursday, is also currently considering limiting asylum access there. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 In the 1980s, faith leaders in the U.S. and Central America joined together in the Sanctuary Movement to effectively challenge the Reagan administration’s asylum policies toward those fleeing the civil wars in central America. Alexia Salvatierra, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024 But the agency lacks enough asylum officers to scale up those screenings, so many more migrants are placed into traditional deportation proceedings and released pending a final order from a judge, which could be years away because of the backlog of millions of cases. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Shakur escaped from prison in 1979 and later claimed political asylum in ... Becket Adams, National Review, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asylum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek asylon, neuter of asylos inviolable, from a- + sylon right of seizure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of asylum was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near asylum

Cite this Entry

“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

asylum

noun
asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
1
: a place of safety : shelter
2
: protection given especially to political refugees
3
: an institution for the care of those unable to care for themselves and especially for the insane

Medical Definition

asylum

noun
asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
: an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill

Legal Definition

asylum

noun
asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency that has diplomatic immunity

More from Merriam-Webster on asylum

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