refugee

noun

ref·u·gee ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē

ˈre-fyu̇-ˌjē

Synonyms of refugee

: one that flees

especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution

refugeeism

ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē-ˌi-zəm

ˈre-fyu̇-ˌjē-

noun

Examples of refugee in a Sentence

Thousands of refugees have fled the area. refugees began returning to their homeland after years of political unrest and war

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In the last decade Germany has sheltered millions of refugees, mainly from Syria and other troubled countries in the Middle East. — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Another pledge is to create separate schools for the children of refugees, to teach them the curriculum of their home countries. — Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026 The Sheriff’s Office has blamed the crowding in part on Iryna’s Law, legislation named for the Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s Blue Line light rail in 2025. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2026 Besides the threat from Iran, Jordan faces other challenges, such as an economy that has buckled under millions of refugees fleeing regional conflicts. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refugee

Word History

Etymology

French réfugié, past participle of (se) réfugier to take refuge, from Middle French refugier, from Latin refugium

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of refugee was in 1685

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

refuge

refugee

refugeeism

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Articles Related to refugee

Cite this Entry

Style

“Refugee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refugee. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

refugee

noun

ref·u·gee ˌref-yu̇-ˈjē

ˈref-yu̇-ˌjē

: a person who flees for safety especially to a foreign country

Etymology

from French réfugié, past participle of réfugier "to put in a place of safety," from Latin refugium "a refuge," from refugere "to run away from, escape," from re- "again, against" and fugere "to run away, flee" — related to centrifugal, fugitive

Legal Definition

refugee

noun

ref·u·gee ˌre-fyu̇-ˈjē

: an individual seeking refuge or asylum

especially : an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion)

refugee

noun

Synonyms of refugee

Examples of refugee in a Sentence

Word History

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The Origin of 'Refugee'

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Kids Definition

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