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
Synonyms
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
Ultimately, the leader claimed he was forced out in a coup and fled to Mexico, where he was granted political asylum.
—
Mitchell McCluskey, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024
It is designed to both improve conditions in countries of origin, thereby reducing incentives for people to leave, and improve those countries' capacity to receive rejected asylum seekers from Sweden.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Jacobs advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that expands legal pathways for asylum seekers.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
At the height of the migrant influx last year, up to 1,500 asylum seekers a day passed through Tucson, whose network of churches and nonprofits helped provide temporary shelter and supplies.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for asylum 
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Mitchell McCluskey, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024
It is designed to both improve conditions in countries of origin, thereby reducing incentives for people to leave, and improve those countries' capacity to receive rejected asylum seekers from Sweden.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Jacobs advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that expands legal pathways for asylum seekers.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
At the height of the migrant influx last year, up to 1,500 asylum seekers a day passed through Tucson, whose network of churches and nonprofits helped provide temporary shelter and supplies.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for asylum
Articles Related to asylum
Dictionary Entries Near asylum
Cite this Entry
“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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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