refugee

1 of 2

noun (1)

ref·​u·​gee ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē 

ˈre-fyu̇-ˌjē

: one that flees

especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution

refugeeism

ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē-ˌi-zəm 

ˈre-fyu̇-ˌjē-

noun

refugeeism

2 of 2

noun (2)

ref·​u·​gee·​ism -ēˌizəm 

plural -s

: the state of being a refugee

Synonyms of refugee

Noun (1)

• exile
• fugitive
• alien
• émigré
• expatriate

Examples of refugee in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Thousands of refugees have fled the area.

refugees began returning to their homeland after years of political unrest and war

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Swinehart left his role as founder of Project 658, a nonprofit that provides sustainable, holistic care to refugees resettling in the Charlotte area, to join Charlotte FC. — Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

The Wellington Avenue Church congregation voted to join the sanctuary movement — becoming just the second church in the United States to harbor refugees who entered the country illegally. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Sales from the thrift store are donated directly to widows, immigrants and refugees in the Sacramento area and internationally. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

France considers withdrawing Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky’s refugee status. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French réfugié, past participle of (se) réfugier to take refuge, from Middle French refugier, from Latin refugium

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1685, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

refugee

noun

ref·​u·​gee ˌref-yu̇-ˈjē 

ˈref-yu̇-ˌjē

: a person who flees for safety especially to a foreign country

Etymology

Noun

from French réfugié, past participle of réfugier "to put in a place of safety," from Latin refugium "a refuge," from refugere "to run away from, escape," from re- "again, against" and fugere "to run away, flee" — related to centrifugal, fugitive

Legal Definition

refugee

noun

ref·​u·​gee ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē 

: an individual seeking refuge or asylum

especially : an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion)