asylum seeker

[uh-sahy-luhm see-ker]

noun

1. a person, especially a political fugitive, who applies for refuge or asylum in a foreign country or its embassy.

asylum seeker

noun

1. a person who, from fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, social group, or political opinion, has crossed an international frontier into a country in which he or she hopes to be granted refugee status

Word History and Origins

Origin of asylum seeker¹

First recorded in 1955–60