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

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

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

An asylum seeker must already be present in the US.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi