asylum seeker

American  

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

noun

asylum seekers plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• asylum seekers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of asylum seeker

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The unrest was initially fueled by false social-media posts that said the teen was an asylum seeker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 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

The Wirral hotel remains asylum seeker accommodation, but the Cumbria hotel was closed in December 2023, owing more than £170,000 to unpaid staff and His Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

An asylum seeker must already be present in the US.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi