asylum

noun asy·lum \ ə-ˈsī-ləm \

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

Immigration advocates have also criticized a recent move by Sessions that narrowed who can qualify for asylum in immigration court in the United States.

— author: reade levinson, mica rosenberg, Anchorage Daily News, "U.S. government says nearly 2,000 child separations at Mexico border in under two months," 16 June 2018
In Slate, Jamelle Bouie chronicles Sessions’ record of hostility toward immigrants, including those who are allowed to ask for asylum in the United States.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Sessions at odds with his church on immigrants," 14 June 2018
But does that violence count as grounds for asylum?

— whitney eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, "After asylum limits, some ask: Does 'gang violence' need a new name?," 14 June 2018
The American Immigration Council last year filed a lawsuit challenging alleged efforts by CBP in California to prevent asylum seekers from applying.

— robert moore, courant.com, "At the US border, asylum seekers fleeing violence are told to come back later," 13 June 2018
Generally, claims by aliens pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors will not qualify for asylum.

— jameelah nasheed, Teen Vogue, "Jeff Sessions Decided That Domestic Abuse and Gang Violence Aren't Grounds for Asylum," 12 June 2018
Most domestic violence survivors seeking refuge in the United States won't qualify for asylum anymore, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ruled Monday.

— refinery29.com, "The U.S. Will Stop Granting Asylum To Domestic Violence Survivors," 11 June 2018
Sessions' ruling overturned a 2016 decision by the Justice Department's Board of Immigration Appeals that said an abused woman from El Salvador was eligible for asylum.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Supreme Court upholds Ohio's purges of its voter rolls," 11 June 2018
The Trump administration doesn’t hold much regard for asylum seekers or projects started by President Obama.

— tom simonite, WIRED, "Obama's US Digital Service Survives Trump—Quietly," 31 May 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