asylum

/əˈsaɪləm/
noun
  1. Protection granted by a country to someone who has fled their home country because of danger or persecution.
    • The refugee applied for political asylum in Canada.
    • Many people seek asylum from war and violence.
    • The government granted asylum to the family fleeing persecution.
  2. A place of safety or refuge.
    • She found asylum in the quiet library away from the chaos.
    • The old church served as an asylum for travelers during the storm.
    • The national park is a wildlife asylum for endangered species.
  3. A hospital for the care of people with mental illness (now considered dated or historical).
    • Historical records show the asylum was overcrowded.
    • The old asylum has been converted into apartments.
    • In the 19th century, many patients were sent to a lunatic asylum.
What does "asylum" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean