absenteeism

noun

ab·​sen·​tee·​ism ˌab-sən-ˈtē-ˌi-zəm 

1

: chronic absence (as from work or school)

also : the rate of such absence

2

: prolonged absence from a property by its owner or proprietor

Examples of absenteeism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By the time an employee seeks care, the human and business costs might have been building for months, through lower productivity, absenteeism, manager strain and team disruption. —Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Polarization, student absenteeism, picket fences and ‘Shear Madness,' in readers’ eyes. —Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 12 June 2026

Oral disease is linked to diabetes, cardiovascular illness, pregnancy complications, school absenteeism, lost wages, and preventable suffering. —Jean Paul Laurent, Time, 11 June 2026

RydeFreeRT launched in fall 2019 to curb chronic absenteeism in schools, and this school year provided about 5 million student rides, more than triple pre-program levels. —Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

absentee + -ism

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for absenteeism

• ageism
• deism
• theism
• manichaeism