refuge

American  

[ref-yooj] / ˈrɛf yudʒ /

noun

1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc..

   to take refuge from a storm.

   Synonyms:

   safety, security

2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.

   Synonyms:

   stronghold, haven, sanctuary, retreat, asylum

3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

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verb (used with object)

refuged, refuging

1. Archaic. to afford refuge to.

verb (used without object)

refuged, refuging

1. Archaic. to take refuge.

refuge British  

/ ˈrɛfjuːdʒ /

noun

1. shelter or protection, as from the weather or danger

2. any place, person, action, or thing that offers or appears to offer protection, help, or relief

   accused of incompetence, he took refuge in lying

3. another name for traffic island

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verb

1. archaic to take refuge or give refuge to

Etymology

Origin of refuge

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin refugium, from refug(ere) “to turn and flee, run away” ( re- re- + fugere “to flee”; fugitive ) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

But we aren’t a refuge for those unwilling to do the hard work of reforming their own states.

From The Wall Street Journal

About 100 homes were evacuated overnight, with residents taking refuge in Lurgan town hall and a number of roads in town centre were closed.

From BBC

Scientists believe these early cephalopods found refuge in small, oxygen-rich pockets of the deep ocean.

From Science Daily

During the civil war in Syria, almost a million Syrians sought refuge in Germany.

From BBC

Playing golf is surely a refuge for Woods, but he doesn’t need that now.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• asylum
• fortress
• haven
• hideaway
• hideout
• hiding place
• protection
• resort
• retreat
• sanctuary
• security
• shelter
• stronghold