Sanctuary vs. Asylum

Sanctuarynoun

A place of safety, refuge, or protection.

‘My car is a sanctuary, where none can disturb me except for people who cut me off.’;

Asylumnoun

A place of safety.

Sanctuarynoun

An area set aside for protection.

‘The bird sanctuary has strict restrictions on visitors so the birds aren't disturbed.’;

Asylumnoun

The protection, physical and legal, afforded by such a place.

Sanctuarynoun

A state of being protected, asylum.

‘The government granted sanctuary to the defector, protecting him from his former government.’;

Asylumnoun

(dated) A place of protection or restraint for one or more classes of the disadvantaged, especially the mentally ill.

Sanctuarynoun

The consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.

Asylumnoun

A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege.

‘So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary.’;

Sanctuarynoun

A sacred place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable site.

‘These laws, whoever made them, bestowed on temples the privilege of sanctuary.’; ‘The admirable works of painting were made fuel for the fire; but some relics of it took sanctuary under ground, and escaped the common destiny.’;

Asylumnoun

Any place of retreat and security.

‘Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom.’;

Sanctuarynoun

a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept

Asylumnoun

An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.

Sanctuarynoun

a shelter from danger or hardship

Asylumnoun

a shelter from danger or hardship

Sanctuarynoun

area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

Asylumnoun

a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person

Sanctuary

A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety.