Words / B2

uh-SYL-uh-m/əˈsaɪləm/

Asylum is protection given by a country to someone who has left their own country for safety: political asylum, apply for asylum. Refuge is a close cousin; shelter is everyday and physical. Asylum seeker is the person applying; refugee often means their claim has been recognised (usage varies in the news — be careful). In older English, asylum also meant a psychiatric hospital; that sense is dated and can sound offensive. In speech, protection as a refugee is clearer than a bare asylum.

Meaning

Protection given by a country to someone who has left their own country for safety.

Examples

• “They applied for political asylum.”
• “They applied for asylum after the election violence.”
• “The charity offers legal advice to people seeking asylum, not a tourist visa.”

Good to know

Protection for people fleeing danger. apply for asylum. Related: asylum seeker / refugee. Everyday: refuge / protection. Old “mental hospital” sense is dated.

Near in meaning

refuge

New