refugee

[ref-yoo-jee, ref-yoo-jee]

noun

1. a person who flees for refuge or safety, especially to a foreign country, as in time of political upheaval, war, etc.

2. political refugee.

refugee

/ ˌrɛfjʊˈdʒiː /

noun

1. 1. a person who has fled from some danger or problem, esp political persecution

      refugees from Rwanda

   2. ( as modifier )

      a refugee camp

      a refugee problem

Other Word Forms

• refugeeism noun
• prorefugee adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of refugee¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from French réfugié “taken refuge,” past participle of réfugier “to take refuge”; equivalent to refuge + -ee

Example Sentences

"Basically there is no legal way to enter the Hungarian territory as a refugee," she asserts.

From BBC

Mr Stephens said the demand on policing could be reduced by better integration of refugees.

From BBC

The new detail this time was the government's decision to suspend family reunion applications from refugees.

From BBC

Thammavongsa lives in Toronto, the city to which her Lao parents immigrated from a Thai refugee camp when she was a baby.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the anti immigration crowd there were signs reading "stop the boats'"and "enough is enough", while counter demonstrators chanted "refugees are welcome here".

From BBC

Related Words

• alien 
• displaced person 
• emigrant 
• evacuee 
• exile 
• expatriate 
• foreigner