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

The scheme differs from the Rwanda plan in that people will still have the opportunity to eventually receive asylum in Italy, rather than being permanently removed. —Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

Those include a knife attack blamed on a Syrian asylum seeker in Solingen last month that killed three people. —Michael Probst and Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024

Zoom in: Balancing the need for immigration reform with tighter border security amid increases in asylum seekers is a particularly big concern in Arizona and Nevada, where the voting populations are younger and closer to their families' immigrant roots. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 15 Sep. 2024

Watch on Deadline Since 2011, the creators of AHS have redefined the horror genre with various installments featuring a creepy asylum, a coven of witches, a traveling freak show, a haunted hotel and the apocalypse itself. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024

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

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 mentally ill

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