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
Sylvia Plath bent over her desk in pre-dawn darkness, Zelda Fitzgerald’s feverish scribbling between asylum walls, J.K. Rowling writing in Edinburgh cafés with a sleeping infant beside her, and Toni Morrison crafting worlds while her children dream.
—
Fidan Cheikosman, JSTOR Daily, 1 Jan. 2025
The killing also occurred as many undocumented migrants and asylum seekers hope to reach the United States before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
—Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Vo's refusal to go to prison and attempts to claim asylum in Canada may encourage others to flee until Donald Trump is inaugurated.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
The number of Chinese asylum seekers arriving via the southern border has surged since the pandemic.
—Time Photo Department, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
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Fidan Cheikosman, JSTOR Daily, 1 Jan. 2025
The killing also occurred as many undocumented migrants and asylum seekers hope to reach the United States before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
—Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Vo's refusal to go to prison and attempts to claim asylum in Canada may encourage others to flee until Donald Trump is inaugurated.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
The number of Chinese asylum seekers arriving via the southern border has surged since the pandemic.
—Time Photo Department, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for asylum
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Dictionary Entries Near asylum
Cite this Entry
“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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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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