asylum

noun asy·lum \ ə-ˈsī-ləm \

Updated on: 25 Apr 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

Many were deported, and some ended up working on a charity farm attached to the insane asylum.

— caroline lieffers, Smithsonian, "How the Panama Canal Took a Huge Toll On the Contract Workers Who Built It," 18 Apr. 2018
Ironically, both Kleinauskaite’s journey of discovery that led her to Meriano and the hostile anti-LGBT climate in Lithuania are at the core of her plea for political asylum, now before the 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "'I get my orders from above.' How Trump's deportation machine keeps Philly newlyweds on ICE | Will Bunch," 17 Apr. 2018
Texas, Arizona, New Mexico pledge hundreds of National Guard troops | 200 Central American caravan migrants to seek asylum in US: report.

— Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: Trump blasts 'disgraceful' raids on lawyer; Zuckerberg gets face time on the Hill," 10 Apr. 2018
In contrast, Hungarians had low support for proposals related to common asylum, migration, justice and home affairs policies.

— josef janning, Washington Post, "Hungary votes on Sunday. What will this mean for its relationship with Europe?," 6 Apr. 2018
This village of 300 people is preparing to take in 102 asylum seekers.

— michelle iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Oak Ridge North Election Profile: Martha Stedifor, city council," 6 Apr. 2018
In 1854, the county opened a poorhouse and farm and gradually added an insane asylum, infirmary and tuberculosis hospital to the property.

— nereida moreno, chicagotribune.com, "As workers dig at new CPS school site, they try to avoid Dunning’s unmarked graves," 5 Apr. 2018
As The Guardian reported in April 2017, the Mexican asylum system saw a 150% increase in applications in the four months after Trump's election in November 2016.

— linley sanders, Teen Vogue, "This Immigrant Caravan Is Fighting for Central American Refugees," 3 Apr. 2018
Decades ago, people with an array of mental conditions were confined to asylums, often for a lifetime.

— BostonGlobe.com, "In Winchester murder, questions linger about why suspect was able to roam free," 11 Mar. 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