refugee

noun

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

Synonyms

• exile
• fugitive
• alien
• émigré
• expatriate

Examples of refugee in a Sentence

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

Late last month, Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on a train in North Carolina. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

The release of video footage of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska’s death on the Lynx Blue Line last week instantly propelled the narrative from a local story to a national conservative media firestorm with Charlotte at the center. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025

In Charlotte, North Carolina, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was stabbed to death aboard a light-rail train. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

Under the altar is a stone made from a blend of earth, stone and sand from the island, cast with water brought from a Cuban refugee raft. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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)