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
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
Several of the migrants that Florida flew to Martha’s Vineyard had legal status in the U.S. as asylum seekers.
—
Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Immigration attorney Allen Orr said during a Monday interview with NBC News that firing judges will mean asylum cases could take years.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
The collapse of the Assad regime in December prompted several European countries to pause legal proceedings on asylum status for Syrians.
—Jin Yu Young, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
The facial scanning technology being deployed here to collect biometric data from asylum seekers felt like the opposite of her approach.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asylum
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Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Immigration attorney Allen Orr said during a Monday interview with NBC News that firing judges will mean asylum cases could take years.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
The collapse of the Assad regime in December prompted several European countries to pause legal proceedings on asylum status for Syrians.
—Jin Yu Young, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
The facial scanning technology being deployed here to collect biometric data from asylum seekers felt like the opposite of her approach.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asylum
Articles Related to asylum
Cite this Entry
“Asylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asylum. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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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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