asylum

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

3a : 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

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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 The other two circuit judges on the merits panel joined Fletcher — who was appointed by President Bill Clinton — in blocking the asylum ban. — Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, "9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds block on Trump's 'third country' asylum ban," 7 July 2020 A year ago Francisco Erwin Galicia sat in a Border Patrol holding facility in South Texas alongside dozens of men, many of whom had crossed the border hoping to gain asylum in the U.S. — Obed Manuel, Dallas News, "Dallas-born teen held by Border Patrol, ICE a year ago still fighting to have citizenship recognized," 5 July 2020 After the court’s order, Garcia Ramirez was sent to stay with an uncle in Alabama and Hernandez Alfaro won asylum, the judge’s opinion stated. — Washington Post, "ICE unlawfully jails unaccompanied migrant children once they turn 18, judge rules," 2 July 2020 Cartagena said their next step is to try to get the family into an asylum process. — Silvia Foster-frau, ExpressNews.com, "Haitian family detained 3 weeks in San Antonio hotel," 1 July 2020 But Cornell University law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration expert, said the decision lends support to broader administration action on asylum. — Mark Sherman, Anchorage Daily News, "Supreme Court boosts Trump administration’s deportation power in asylum cases," 25 June 2020 Gelernt said 9,000 immigrants had been denied asylum and were unable to appeal the decision in the year since the 9th Circuit’s decision. — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner, "Supreme Court sides with Trump, blocks migrants at border from suing over asylum denial," 25 June 2020 Before coronavirus, his administration cut arrivals of undocumented migrants, most effectively by striking a deal last year with Mexico’s government to prevent central Americans reaching the border and claiming asylum. — The Economist, "Another brick in the wall Donald Trump bans visas even for high-skilled foreign workers," 23 June 2020 His father, Carlos Barrera Rodriguez, lives in the U.S. and has a pending asylum case. — Dara Lind, ProPublica, "Advocates Sue Trump Administration Over Mass Border Expulsions," 10 June 2020

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.

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Last Updated

3 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 14 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for asylum

asylum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of asylum

: protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed

old-fashioned : a hospital where people who are mentally ill are cared for especially for long periods of time : a mental hospital

See the full definition for asylum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

asylum

noun

asy·lum | \ ə-ˈsī-ləm

Kids Definition of asylum

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

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

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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

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