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

The budget for the Home Office is set to shrink by 3.3% next year in real terms, with the bulk of this coming from assumed savings on asylum support.

From BBC

He left Iran in 2007 and received asylum in Norway, before joining US broadcaster Voice of America's Persian service in Washington DC.

From BBC

Trump could also re-implement his "Remain in Mexico" policy that required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while claims are processed.

From BBC

During the Trump administration, about 70,000 asylum seekers were returned to Mexico to wait for their hearings.

From BBC

Asylum seekers who had given the federal government their home addresses wondered whether they should pack up and move.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haven
• refuge
• sanctuary
• shelter