Definition of REFUGEE
REFUGEE Noun and Adjective
Refugee is a noun that refers to a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. It is also used as an adjective in the context of camps or aid specific to refugees.
REFUGEE as a noun
As a noun, refugee denotes an individual who seeks refuge, often in a foreign country, due to threats to their safety and well-being in their home country. For example, “The refugee fled the conflict in search of a safer place to live,” indicates someone escaping danger.
Legal Definition: According to international law, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is someone who has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. For example, “The United Nations granted refugee status to individuals fleeing political oppression,” refers to the formal recognition of their need for protection.
Humanitarian Context: In humanitarian work, the term refugee encompasses individuals who are provided with assistance and protection by various international organizations. For example, “The refugee camp was established to provide shelter and aid to those displaced by the earthquake,” illustrates the support given to displaced persons.
Historical Usage: The term refugee has been used historically to describe groups of people who have been displaced by events such as wars and revolutions. For example, “During World War II, many European refugees sought asylum in the United States,” reflects the mass movements of people during significant historical events.
REFUGEE as an adjective
When used as an adjective, refugee describes something that pertains to refugees. For example, “refugee camp” or “refugee crisis” are terms that indicate places or situations involving refugees. For example, “The organization set up a refugee relief fund,” shows the adjective form in use.
Global and Political Significance: The issue of refugees is a significant global concern, involving complex political, social, and legal dimensions. For example, “The refugee crisis in the Middle East has led to widespread international debate and action,” highlights the ongoing global challenges and responses.
In conclusion, refugee is primarily a noun that describes a person who flees their country due to serious threats like war or persecution. It also functions as an adjective in specific contexts related to refugees. The term carries significant humanitarian, legal, and historical weight, reflecting the plight and protection of displaced individuals.
Examples of REFUGEE in a sentence
REFUGEE as a noun in a sentence
- The government provided shelter for the refugees fleeing the war-torn region.
- Many refugees risked their lives crossing dangerous borders in search of safety.
- The camp was overwhelmed with the influx of refugees seeking asylum.
- The organization offered food and medical aid to displaced refugees.
- She shared the harrowing journey of a refugee escaping persecution in her homeland.
- The boat carried dozens of refugees across the treacherous waters to safety.
- The plight of refugees prompted international humanitarian efforts.
- The documentary shed light on the challenges faced by refugees rebuilding their lives in a new country.
REFUGEE as an adjective in a sentence
- The government implemented refugee resettlement programs to assist displaced individuals.
- The organization provided refugee aid to families affected by the conflict.
- The community welcomed refugee families with open arms, offering support and assistance.
- She worked as a refugee advocate, raising awareness about the global displacement crisis.
- The school offered language classes tailored to the needs of refugee students.
- The refugee crisis highlighted the importance of international cooperation and solidarity.
- The city established a refugee integration center to help newcomers adjust to their new environment.
- The program offered refugee scholarships to support higher education opportunities for displaced individuals.
Origin of REFUGEE
The term refugee has its etymological roots in French and English, shedding light on its linguistic origins.
- Semantic Context: A refugee is an individual who flees their home country due to persecution, conflict, or violence and seeks refuge or asylum in another country.
- French Influence: The term “refugee” originates from the French word “réfugié,” which means “refugee” or “one who seeks refuge.” In French, it denoted individuals fleeing persecution or conflict and seeking sanctuary in other countries.
- English Formation: “Refugee” was formed in English, borrowing from the French root “réfugié” to describe individuals displaced from their homes due to war, persecution, or other forms of violence.
- Cultural Connotations: Refugee carries cultural connotations of displacement, vulnerability, and the need for protection and support, highlighting the humanitarian imperative to assist those fleeing persecution or conflict.
- Usage in Context: “Refugee” is commonly used in legal, humanitarian, and political contexts to describe individuals who have been forced to leave their homes and seek safety and protection in other countries, as well as in discussions surrounding refugee rights, resettlement, and international humanitarian assistance.
The term refugee reflects its origins in French and its adoption into English, highlighting its significance in addressing the plight of displaced persons and the international community’s moral and legal obligations to provide refuge and protection to those in need.
Synonyms
- Displaced person
- Asylum seeker
- Exile
- Emigrant
- Migrant
- Fugitive
- Evacuee
- Stateless person
Antonyms
- Native
- Citizen
- Resident
- Inhabitant
- National
- Local
- Settler
- Insider
Related
- Refugee camp
- Resettlement
- Humanitarian aid
- Displacement
- Immigration
- Refugee crisis
- Refugee status
- Forced migration
🌐 🇬🇧 REFUGEE in other languages
Spanish 🇪🇸 | Refugiado |
French 🇫🇷 | Réfugié |
German 🇩🇪 | Flüchtling |
Chinese (simpl) 🇨🇳 | 难民 |
Chinese (trad) 🇨🇳 | 難民 |
Italian 🇮🇹 | Profugo |
Portuguese 🇵🇹 | Refugiado |
Dutch 🇳🇱 | Vluchteling |
Swedish 🇸🇪 | Flykting |
Norwegian 🇳🇴 | Flyktning |
Finnish 🇫🇮 | pakolainen |
Romanian 🇷🇴 | Refugiat |
Polish 🇵🇱 | Uchodźca |
Hungarian 🇭🇺 | Menekült |
Czech 🇨🇿 | Uprchlík |
Bulgarian 🇧🇬 | бежанец |
Ukrainian 🇺🇦 | Біженець |
Russian 🇷🇺 | Беженец |
Turkish 🇹🇷 | Mülteci |
Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 | Qaçqın |
Armenian 🇦🇲 | Փախստական |
Arabic 🇸🇦 | لاجئ |
Hebrew 🇮🇱 | פָּלִיט |
Urdu 🇵🇰 | پناہ گزین |
Farsi/Persian 🇮🇷 | پناهنده |
Hindi 🇮🇳 | शरणार्थी |
Bengaleli/se 🇧🇩 | উদ্বাস্তু |
Marathi 🇮🇳 | निर्वासित |
Telugu 🇮🇳 | శరణార్థ |
Tamil 🇮🇳 | அகதி |
Gujarati 🇮🇳 | શરણાર્થી |
Kannada 🇮🇳 | ನಿರಾಶ್ರಿತ |
Odia (Orya) 🇮🇳 | ଶରଣାର୍ଥୀ |
Malayalam 🇮🇳 | അഭയാർത്ഥി |
Punjabi 🇮🇳 | ਸ਼ਰਨਾਰਥੀ |
Sinhala/ese 🇱🇰 | සරණාගතයා |
Nepali 🇳🇵 | शरणार्थी |
Burmese 🇲🇲 | ဒုက္ခသည် |
Thai 🇹🇭 | ผู้ลี้ภัย |
Vietnamese 🇻🇳 | người tị nạn |
Malay 🇲🇾 | Pelarian |
Indonesian 🇮🇩 | Pengungsi |
Tagalog 🇵🇭 | Refugee |
Japanese 🇯🇵 | 難民 |
Korean 🇰🇷 | 난민 |
Oromo 🇪🇹 | Baqataa |
Somali 🇸🇴 | Qaxooti |
Amharic 🇪🇹 | ስደተኛ |
Swahili 🇹🇿 | Mkimbizi |
Yoruba 🇳🇬 | Asasala |