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

In March, the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy announced the cancellation of a $230,000 contract for refugee resettlement, placing critical programs in jeopardy. —Lila Hempel-Edgers july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025

In Gaza, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Mozambique, in the blink of an eye, midwives, shrinks, programs for survivors and essential services in refugee camps were gone. —Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 8 July 2025

Her family fled political oppression during the Vietnam War, escaping on a cargo ship with 3-year-old Vương-Sandoval in tow, and were resettled in the U.S. as refugees. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 6 July 2025

In an executive order issued on January 20, 2025, Trump blocked the admission of refugees to the United States, including approximately 100,000 individuals already approved to enter. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 6 July 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)