a ‧ sy ‧ lum /əˈsaɪləm/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: Greek asylon , from asylos 'not able to be seized' ]
1 . [uncountable] protection given to someone by a government because they have escaped from fighting or political trouble in their own country
apply for/seek/be granted asylum
He has been granted asylum in France.
⇨ ↑ political asylum
2 . [countable] old use a ↑ mental hospital