refuge

1 of 2

noun

ref·​uge ˈre-(ˌ)fyüj 

 also  -(ˌ)fyüzh

1

: shelter or protection from danger or distress

2

: a place that provides shelter or protection

3

: something to which one has recourse in difficulty

refuge

2 of 2

verb

refuged; refuging

transitive verb

: to give refuge to

intransitive verb

: to seek or take refuge

Did you know?

Finding Refuge

The re- in refuge means basically "back" or "backward" rather than "again;" thus, a refugee is someone who is "fleeing backward". Refuge tends to appear with certain other words: you generally "seek refuge", "take refuge", or "find refuge". Religion may be a refuge from the woes of your life; a beautiful park may be a refuge from the noise of the city; and your bedroom may be a refuge from the madness of your family.

Synonyms

Noun

• asylum
• bolt-hole [chiefly British]
• harbor
• harborage
• haven
• retreat
• sanctuary
• sanctum
• shelter

Verb

• harbor
• shelter

Examples of refuge in a Sentence

Noun

hunting is strictly forbidden in the wildlife refuge

Verb

a nation with a long, honorable history of refuging political asylum seekers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Albert Schweitzer, meanwhile, transformed its Cholera Treatment Center into a refuge for those fleeing the violence and after helping Mirebalais’ doctors and nurses flee, provided meals and housing. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025

And further, global investors may feel less inclined to automatically choose the U.S. as their refuge. —Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Verb

Her students were in their own difficult circumstances, too – seeking refuge away from their homes, some in other countries. —Kristina Hook, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2023

Conservationists, refuge biologists and Pacific Foods, a local business, came up with an ambitious plan to remove the carp, truck them to nearby Burns, and process them into fertilizer. —April Reese, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 2016

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin refugium, from refugere to escape, from re- + fugere to flee — more at fugitive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing refuge

• place of refuge
• take/find/seek refuge

Kids Definition

refuge

noun

ref·​uge

ˈref-ˌyüj

1

: shelter or protection from danger or distress

2

: a place that provides shelter or protection

wildlife refuges