asylum

[uh-sahy-luhm]

noun

1. (especially formerly) an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.

2. an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary.

   He sought asylum in the church.

   Synonyms: retreat, shelter, haven

3. International Law.

   1. a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.

   2. a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.

4. any secure retreat.

asylum

/ əˈsaɪləm /

noun

1. a safe or inviolable place of refuge, esp as formerly offered by the Christian Church to criminals, outlaws, etc; sanctuary (often in the phrase give asylum to )

2. shelter; refuge

3. international law refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government

   political asylum

4. obsolete,  an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of asylum¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, from Greek ásȳlon “sanctuary,” from a- a- ⁶ + sŷlon “right of seizure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of asylum¹

C15: via Latin from Greek asulon refuge, from asulos that may not be seized, from _a- ¹ + sulon right of seizure

Example Sentences

The issue is a sensitive one - the country is grappling with how to deal with the hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers who arrive at its borders every year.

From BBC

Last month, Reform suspended Durham County Council's Paul Bean over allegations he breached civil service impartiality rules because of his job processing asylum claims.

From BBC

The UK military is focused on defending the nation rather than stopping asylum seekers from crossing the Channel, a cabinet minister has said.

From BBC

It proposes that, for each migrant the UK returns to France, another migrant with a strong case for asylum in the UK will come in return.

From BBC

Since being granted asylum in the UK, he has built a life in Northern Ireland.

From BBC

Related Words

• haven 
• refuge 
• sanctuary 
• shelter