uncountable the right to stay in a country, given by a government to protect someone who has escaped from war or political trouble in their own country
seek asylum:
More than half a millionpeoplesought asylum in Europe last year.
political asylum:
The number of refugeesseekingpolitical asylum has risenrecently.
grant someone asylum:
Of the 1,000 refugees that initially came here, only 50 were granted asylum.
Synonyms and related words
Moving to and living in a different country
immigration
asylum
exile
2
countable old-fashioneda mental hospital (=a hospital for people with mental illnesses)
Synonyms and related words
Places where people receive medical care
asylum
Broadmoor
care home
3
the lunatics/inmates have taken over the asylum
used for saying that the people running things are crazy and their decisions irrational
Watching the news it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the lunatics have taken over the asylum.
Submitted from: United Kingdom on 09/02/2017
asylum
noun
US /əˈsaɪləm/
Other entries for this word
asylum seekernoun
lunatic asylumnoun
Word Forms
singular
asylum
plural
asylums
DEFINITIONS3
1
uncountable the right to stay in a country, given by a government to protect someone who has escaped from war or political trouble in their own country
seek asylum:
More than half a millionpeoplesought asylum in Europe last year.
political asylum:
The number of refugeesseekingpolitical asylum has risenrecently.
grant someone asylum:
Of the 1,000 refugees who initially came here, only 50 were granted asylum.
Synonyms and related words
Moving to and living in a different country
immigration
asylum
exile
2
countable old-fashioneda mental hospital (=a hospital for people with mental illnesses)
Synonyms and related words
Places where people receive medical care
asylum
care home
clinic
3
the lunatics/inmates have taken over the asylum
used for saying that the people running things are crazy and their decisions irrational
Watching the news it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the lunatics have taken over the asylum.