asylum

noun asy·lum \ ə-ˈsī-ləm \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Definition of asylum

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

See asylum defined for English-language learners

See asylum defined for kids

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 of asylum from the Web

The third issue is the demand from Washington for Mexico to accept an agreement to receive Central American asylum seekers.

— elisabeth malkin, New York Times, "U.S. Delegation and Mexico’s Next President Aim to Reset Relations," 13 July 2018
The guidance impacts people fleeing domestic violence or gang violence as well as asylum seekers who cross the border illegally.

— kate morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New guidance for asylum officers could send thousands back from the border," 12 July 2018
The leaders agreed to divert most asylum seekers to camps in North Africa and to detain those who manage to reach the continent.

— andrea thomas, WSJ, "European Governments Fail to Agree on Redistributing Migrants," 12 July 2018
Aside from not being practically possible, there are legal protections that keep people who fall into certain categories – like minors, asylum seekers, and families apprehended together – from being locked up and swiftly ejected from the U.S.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Returns to ‘Catch and Release’ for Migrant Families – But Maybe Not for Long," 11 July 2018
There aren’t separate in absentia statistics just for asylum-seekers caught entering the US.

— dara lind, Vox, "A new study blows up Trump’s “catch-and-release” myth," 11 July 2018
Since at least December, asylum seekers have often had to wait weeks for the San Ysidro port of entry in San Diego to have room to process them.

— kate morrissey, Anchorage Daily News, "Illegal border crossings decrease for the first time in 2018," 7 July 2018
The world’s refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced now number a record 68.5 million people, spread across the globe, but primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

— deirdre fernandes, BostonGlobe.com, "An education in hope," 7 July 2018
After weeks of tension stoked by a Bavarian regional party that’s threatening to send back more asylum seekers at the border, its leaders met in Munich on Sunday to decide.

— arne delfs, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel Faces Crunch Time in Showdown on Migrant Policy," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'asylum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of asylum

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

asylum Synonyms

Synonyms

harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum, shelter;

Related Words

oasis;

anchorage, mooring, port;

cover, screen;

housing, lodging, quarters, residence, rest, roof;

cloister, closet, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, lair;

lean-to, lee, shed, windbreak;

ASYLUM Defined for English Language Learners

asylum

noun

Definition of asylum for English Language Learners

: protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed
: a hospital where people who are mentally ill are cared for especially for long periods of time : a mental hospital

ASYLUM Defined for Kids

asylum

noun asy·lum \ ə-ˈsī-ləm \

Definition of asylum for Students

1 : a place of protection and shelter

They sought asylum from the storm.

2 : protection given especially to political refugees

3 : a place for the care of the poor or the physically or mentally ill

Medical Dictionary

asylum

noun asy·lum \ ə-ˈsī-ləm \

medical Definition of asylum

: an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill

Law Dictionary

asylum

noun asy·lum \ ə-ˈsī-ləm \

legal Definition of asylum

: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency that has diplomatic immunity