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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of asylum seeker

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

In one case, an asylum seeker said he went on a 250-mile cab journey to a GP, costing the Home Office £600.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 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

SRH shelved the asylum seeker plan, and was reported in the Liverpool Echo at the time to have withdrawn from the plan when it became clear the "upheaval to tenants was too great".

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