Asylum
/əˈsaɪləm/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
A place of safety or protection, especially for political refugees or the mentally ill.
/əˈsaɪləm/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
A place of refuge or protection
The refugees sought political asylum.
💡 Simply: A safe place
More Examples
2
The old asylum was eventually converted into apartments.
How It's Used
Legal
"He sought asylum in a neighboring country."
Mental health
"The patient was committed to an asylum."
From Middle English *asile, from Old French asile, from Latin asylum, from Greek ἄσυλον (asulon), neuter of ἄσυλος (asylos) "without sanctuary, inviolable".
Historically, 'asylum' referred primarily to sanctuaries for the mentally ill, and this usage still persists in some contexts. The meaning of 'refuge for political reasons' became prominent later.