1
: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary
3
a
: the protection or security afforded by an asylum : refuge
b
: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying freedom from what is required by law for most people
4
somewhat old-fashioned
: an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill
Synonyms
Examples of asylum in a Sentence
She asked for political asylum.
She was granted asylum after it was made clear that she would be killed if she returned to her native country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Continue reading … ‘SIGNIFICANT THREATS’ – Biden admin’s vetting of asylum seekers could allow ‘dangerous persons’ to slip through the cracks.
—
Fox News, 13 June 2024
Sending asylum seekers to Rwanda A divisive deportation scheme proposed by the government would deport asylum seekers to Rwanda in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants entering British shores on small boats through the English channel.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 12 June 2024
Ohio, and Cincinnati in particular, has long been home to Mauritanian refugees and asylum seekers, but people who work with the community say the number of newcomers since 2022 is likely in the thousands.
—Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 12 June 2024
The poll was conducted over a six-day period beginning less than a week after Trump was convicted of criminal business fraud charges, and one day after Biden signed off on significant new restrictions on asylum seekers.
—Sam Schulz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for asylum 
Fox News, 13 June 2024
Sending asylum seekers to Rwanda A divisive deportation scheme proposed by the government would deport asylum seekers to Rwanda in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants entering British shores on small boats through the English channel.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 12 June 2024
Ohio, and Cincinnati in particular, has long been home to Mauritanian refugees and asylum seekers, but people who work with the community say the number of newcomers since 2022 is likely in the thousands.
—Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 12 June 2024
The poll was conducted over a six-day period beginning less than a week after Trump was convicted of criminal business fraud charges, and one day after Biden signed off on significant new restrictions on asylum seekers.
—Sam Schulz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for asylum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asylum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near asylum
Cite this Entry
“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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Medical Definition
asylum
noun
asy·lum
ə-ˈsī-ləm 
: an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill
Legal Definition
asylum
noun
asy·lum
ə-ˈsī-ləm
: protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency that has diplomatic immunity
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