- (especially formerly) an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.
- an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary: He sought asylum in the church.
- International Law.
- a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
- a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.
- any secure retreat.
- a safe or inviolable place of refuge, esp as formerly offered by the Christian Church to criminals, outlaws, etc; sanctuary (often in the phrase give asylum to)
- shelter; refuge
- refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government
- an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum)
