asylums Definition

asylum
noun asylums

1. A place of safety or protection.

Thesaurus: refuge, haven, sanctuary, shelter, safety, retreat.
2. historical
A mental hospital.
Thesaurus: mental institution, mental hospital, madhouse, slang: funny farm, loony bin, nuthouse.

Idiom: give asylum to someone (grant asylum to someone)

Said of a country, state, etc: to offer them the opportunity to stay, especially when return to their own country might put them in jeopardy. See also political asylum.

Etymology: 15c: from Greek asylon sanctuary, from a- not + sylon right of seizure.