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

A man who helped stoke a fire outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for nine years.

From BBC

A Reform government would close asylum hotels, she said, and "Welsh families and veterans" would be "first in the queue for housing, first in the queue for support, not illegal immigrants".

From BBC

Any savings would depend on how much of a deterrent it would be in discouraging asylum seekers from coming to the UK.

From BBC

Mahmood's appointment is a signal that the government sees dealing with illegal immigration and asylum as one of its biggest priorities.

From BBC

According to immigration law experts, it is unclear whether designating cartels as terrorist organisations may help or hinder their victims who seek asylum in the US.

From BBC

Related Words

• haven 
• refuge 
• sanctuary 
• shelter