refuge

American  

[ref-yooj] / ˈrɛf yudʒ /

noun

1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc..

   to take refuge from a storm.

   Synonyms:

   safety, security

2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.

   Synonyms:

   stronghold, haven, sanctuary, retreat, asylum

3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

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verb (used with object)

refuged, refuging

1. Archaic. to afford refuge to.

verb (used without object)

refuged, refuging

1. Archaic. to take refuge.

refuge British  

/ ˈrɛfjuːdʒ /

noun

1. shelter or protection, as from the weather or danger

2. any place, person, action, or thing that offers or appears to offer protection, help, or relief

   accused of incompetence, he took refuge in lying

3. another name for traffic island

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verb

1. archaic to take refuge or give refuge to

Etymology

Origin of refuge

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin refugium, from refug(ere) “to turn and flee, run away” ( re- re- + fugere “to flee”; see fugitive) + -ium -ium

Explanation

To take refuge is to find a safe place. You might take refuge under a bridge in a hail storm, or in a basement during a tornado. Refuge comes from a French word meaning "to flee," and, in most cases, a refuge is a place to flee to in order to get away from people or places that are unsafe. A refuge is a safe place, such as a building or even another country, as in "they sought refuge from the war by leaving their homeland," or it is a simple, personal place of comfort — like a friend's couch.

Example Sentences

The 80,000-acre tract, a timber holding of the Singer Sewing Machine Co., had been set aside in 1926 as the Singer Wildlife Refuge.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Refuge sites located out of “waves’ reach” were identified and validated by local authorities, and evacuation routes were devised using algorithms to find the fastest routes.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

In 1855 Maryland opened the House of Refuge, becoming the first Southern state to establish a facility to remove children from adult jails and prisons.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Pam Mansfield runs Exotic Pet Refuge, a registered charity, in Lincolnshire, which is home to more than 500 creatures, ranging from fish to monkeys and even an alligator.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

It turns out that a deluxe, all-inclusive tour through the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge costs twenty-five dollars per person and lasts roughly three hours.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley

Related Words

• asylum
• fortress
• haven
• hideaway
• hideout
• hiding place
• protection
• resort
• retreat
• sanctuary
• security
• shelter
• stronghold