asylum seeker

American  

[uh-sahy-luhm see-ker] / əˈsaɪ ləm ˌsi kər /

noun

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

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asylum seeker British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of asylum seeker

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Nina, a 25-year-old asylum seeker from Ecuador, told AFP, withholding her full name.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

"Right now, unfortunately, we're in God's hands," said Richard Torres, a 39-year-old asylum seeker from Venezuela.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

In November, one of Maassarani's companies then spent £3.5m buying the King's Gap hotel in Hoylake, which had been running as asylum seeker accommodation since 2020.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

One, a 24-year-old Guatemalan asylum seeker named Yulisa Alvarado Ambrocio, was spared detention only because her breastfeeding 11-month-old was with her in court, records show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025

An asylum seeker must already be present in the US.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi