refugee

American  

[ref-yoo-jee, ref-yoo-jee] / ˌrɛf yʊˈdʒi, ˈrɛf yʊˌdʒi /

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.

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refugee British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• prorefugee adjective
• refugeeism noun

Etymology

Origin of refugee

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

Example Sentences

Such is the strength of feeling that a church near Boston has used its Christmas nativity scene to make the point that Jesus was a refugee.

From BBC

UN experts have previously said Ms Azizi's sentencing appeared to be "solely related to her legitimate work as a social worker, including her support for refugees in Iraq and Syria".

From BBC

After years of serving mostly Afghans, Syrians and Ukrainians, they hadn’t picked up an arriving refugee since January, said Emily Parker, who oversees contract compliance.

From Los Angeles Times

The UN's refugee agency, UNCHR, said those especially affected are children and women - including pregnant women - some who reported going without food for days.

From BBC

As Western politicians moved to close their borders to refugees, Francis advocated for them and other migrants.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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