absentee

noun ab·sen·tee \ ˌab-sən-ˈtē \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: absentee in a Sentence

Definition of absentee

: one that is absent: such as

a : a proprietor that lives away from his or her estate or business

b : one missing from work or school

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absentee

adjective

See absentee defined for English-language learners

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Examples of absentee in a Sentence

There were 10 sick absentees that day.

Recent Examples of absentee from the Web

Where shortcuts pass for shelter and where absentee building owners and landlords know that desperate tenants are often forced to choose between substandard accommodations or the streets.

— helen ubiñas, Philly.com, "Alita Johnson, who died in a fire at an unlicensed Philly boarding house, wanted her own place | Helen Ubiñas," 4 Apr. 2018
For a system that relies on data, that's actually a good thing, said Randy Ruedrich, a former state Republican party chair who has long been involved in elections and absentee voting.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage navigates bumps in first mail-ballot election, including a case of mail theft," 20 Mar. 2018
Some of those ballots have already been distributed to absentee voters.

— ian duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Democrats balk at plan to allow Kamenetz votes to count for Valerie Ervin in Maryland primary for governor," 22 May 2018
She's been honest about subjects like her absentee father and her strong relationship with her stepchildren.

— temi adebowale, Country Living, "Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Her Body Image and Weight," 18 May 2018
Of particular interest to Democratic leaders are state caucuses, which may now be required to accommodate absentee voting, incorporate paper ballots and publicly report statewide voter counts.

— New York Times, "Superdelegates Are No. 1 on the Democratic Party To-Do List," 17 May 2018
He was elected as the state’s 35th governor in 1982, when a massive absentee voting campaign edged him ahead of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

— kathleen ronayne, BostonGlobe.com, "George Deukmejian, former governor of California; at 89," 9 May 2018
He was elected as the state’s 35th governor in 1982 when a massive absentee voting campaign edged him just ahead of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

— kathleen ronayne, USA TODAY, "'The Iron Duke' George Deukmejian, former two-term governor of California, dies at 89," 8 May 2018
He was elected as the state's 35th governor in 1982 when a massive absentee voting campaign edged him just ahead of Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

— kathleen ronayne, Fox News, "George Deukmejian, ex-governor of California, dies," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'absentee.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of absentee

borrowed from Anglo-French abscenté "person holding property in Ireland but illegally resident in England," from past participle of absenter "to be absent," verbal derivative of absent ¹absent

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First Known Use: 1537

in the meaning defined above

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