1
: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary
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
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
Police said Alodid entered Northern Ireland from the neighboring Republic of Ireland in 2023, applied for asylum and was given a 5-year permit to remain.
—
ABC News, 10 June 2026
Police said Alodid entered Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland in 2023, applied for asylum and was granted a five-year permit to remain.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Nonprofit legal and community organizations quickly jumped in to support the new court — including creating packets with lawyers' contact information, volunteers to greet people in the lobby and a fund to help cover immigrants' asylum application fees.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 10 June 2026
During a test vote, several members of the House Freedom Caucus demanded that leadership attach an immigration bill passed last Congress that would limit asylum and parole to the reconciliation bill in exchange for their votes, a source familiar with the matter told the Washington Examiner.
—Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for asylum
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ABC News, 10 June 2026
Police said Alodid entered Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland in 2023, applied for asylum and was granted a five-year permit to remain.
—Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Nonprofit legal and community organizations quickly jumped in to support the new court — including creating packets with lawyers' contact information, volunteers to greet people in the lobby and a fund to help cover immigrants' asylum application fees.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 10 June 2026
During a test vote, several members of the House Freedom Caucus demanded that leadership attach an immigration bill passed last Congress that would limit asylum and parole to the reconciliation bill in exchange for their votes, a source familiar with the matter told the Washington Examiner.
—Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for asylum
Cite this Entry
“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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