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

The irony would be acute: While many enthusiasts view Mars as a refuge to save humankind from disaster, its inhabitants could quickly become nonhuman.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead of a continuous hard shoulder, there are refuges every mile.

From BBC

Having taken refuge in Vilnius, she gave birth to a daughter and now works for the Anti-Corruption Foundation, an organisation founded by Navalny that investigates alleged wrongdoing among Russia's elites.

From Barron's

They want it to be a refuge for others losing their companions too.

From BBC

The used-car market, traditionally the refuge for budget-conscious buyers, offers little relief.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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