asylum

1 a place where insane people are cared for volunteered to play piano for the residents of the state asylum on weekends Synonyms madhouse, bedlam, institutionRelated Words hospital; halfway house, home; hospice, sanatorium, sanitarium, sanitorium

2 something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger the embassy serves as an asylum for that country's nationals in need of help Synonyms shelter, bolt-hole [chiefly British], harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, retreat, sanctuary, sanctumRelated Words oasis; anchorage, mooring, port; cover, screen; abode, diggings, domicile, dwelling, habitation, house, housing, lodging, lodgment (or lodgement), pad, place, quarters, residence, rest, roof; cloister, closet, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, lair; castle, fastness, fort, fortress, palisade, redoubt, stronghold; lean-to, lee, shed, windbreak