asylum

noun

asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
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

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 Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, furious they were left out of the negotiations, opposed its wishlist of GOP immigration priorities, including raising the threshold for asylum seekers and curbing presidential authority to parole migrants who face persecution in their home countries. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The lawsuit charges the charter bus companies with violating New York's Social Services Law by transporting the asylum seekers from Texas and leaving them in New York City without providing a means of support. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024 Haitian, Venezuelan, and Honduran refugees and asylum seekers were arriving in large numbers by plane and bus to Massachusetts, the only state with a statutory right to housing. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 Amid a sharp rise in asylum seekers arriving in the country, the government has also had to contend with a growing anti-immigration backlash that has increasingly spilled over into violence, driven in part by far-right rhetoric. Megan Specia, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Currently, Egypt is reporting about 9 million migrants in the country, which includes about 480,000 who are registered with the U.N. refugee agency as refugees and asylum seekers. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2024 Whether Lawson is volunteering at an asylum seekers’ center in the Netherlands, attending a visceral Butoh performance in Japan or visiting Frida Kahlo’s home in Mexico, the underlying theme connecting each story is liberation. Essence, 7 Mar. 2024 Sinema was recently one of the lead negotiators in talks to craft an agreement to improve security along the southern border and overhaul key portions of U.S. asylum law. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 Both Biden and Trump are visiting Texas border communities that have been grappling with large numbers of migrants seeking asylum. Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asylum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of asylum was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near asylum

Cite this Entry

“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

asylum

noun
asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
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 insane

Medical Definition

asylum

noun
asy·​lum ə-ˈsī-ləm How to pronounce asylum (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce asylum (audio)
: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency that has diplomatic immunity

More from Merriam-Webster on asylum

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