asylum

[ uh-sahy-luhm ]

noun

1. (especially formerly) an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.
2. an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary:

   He sought asylum in the church.

   Synonyms: retreat, shelter, haven

3. International Law.
   1. a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
   2. a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.
4. any secure retreat.

asylum

/ əˈsaɪləm /

noun

1. a safe or inviolable place of refuge, esp as formerly offered by the Christian Church to criminals, outlaws, etc; sanctuary (often in the phrase give asylum to )
2. shelter; refuge
3. international law refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government

   political asylum

4. obsolete.
   an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of asylum¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, from Greek ásȳlon “sanctuary,” from a- a- ⁶ + sŷlon “right of seizure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of asylum¹

C15: via Latin from Greek asulon refuge, from asulos that may not be seized, from a- ¹+ sulon right of seizure

Example Sentences

Dame Angela said Labour was making the asylum system "fit for purpose" after inheriting "an unholy mess" - where fewer than 1,000 cases a month were being processed.

From BBC

"There’s a feeling in both parties that as a city we’ve done more than anyone to provide support for asylum seekers."

From BBC

The riots broke out after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a children's dance event in Southport, and subsequent misinformation the suspect was an asylum seeker.

From BBC

That has sometimes led to allowing asylum seekers into the country while they await court dates with immigration judges, a practice critics deride as “catch and release.”

From New York Times

Last week a Rome court ordered the transfer of seven Egyptian and Bangladeshi asylum seekers from one of the two centres to Italy.

From BBC

Related Words

• haven
• refuge
• sanctuary
• shelter