asylum

noun

asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm 

1

: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary

2

: a place of retreat and security : shelter

3

a

: the protection or security afforded by an asylum : refuge

b

: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying freedom from what is required by law for most people

4

somewhat old-fashioned : an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill

Synonyms

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

Examples of asylum in a Sentence

She asked for political asylum.

She was granted asylum after it was made clear that she would be killed if she returned to her native country.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prince Charles arrives in Rwanda amid controversy over asylum seekers June 22, 202200:47 Rwanda received an initial £140 million ($174 million) last year to receive migrants who made the 4,000-mile trip — although none have been sent yet. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023

The policy provided the inspiration for the U.K. plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. —Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023

With division and fear in the air, far-right voices have seized the moment to play up the possibility of mass displacement from the Middle East and argue that Europe needs to tighten its borders ahead of a potential spike in asylum seekers. —Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023

In Brussels, the European Union’s capital, an international soccer match was halted after a Tunisian asylum seeker shot two Swedish fans on their way to the game. —Dominic Green, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2023

Mery and other asylum seekers are constantly gathering information from fellow migrants about possible destinations, including those where free shelter can be had, and New York often comes up. —Jay Root, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023

Her four-part series on a Mexican family’s harrowing experience fleeing cartel violence and seeking asylum in the United States, reported with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, earned a citation from the Overseas Press Club. —Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023

As part of the change in policy, the city is also expected to open a new shelter site at Floyd Bennett Field in the coming weeks designed to serve about 500 families with children who are seeking asylum. —Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 16 Oct. 2023

The asylum system, by intent and design, does not gel with this approach at all. —Felipe De La Hoz, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek asylon, neuter of asylos inviolable, from a- + sylon right of seizure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing asylum

• insane asylum

• insane asylum

Kids Definition

asylum

noun

asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm 

1

: a place of safety : shelter

2

: protection given especially to political refugees

3

: an institution for the care of those unable to care for themselves and especially for the insane

Medical Definition

asylum

noun

asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm 

: an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill

Legal Definition

asylum

noun

asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm 

: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency that has diplomatic immunity