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

The coalition said one of its goals is to help teachers access air purifiers, noting that absenteeism has increased since COVID emerged. — Mikayla Price, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Experts who spoke to Scientific American said these programs can have broad benefits, including on student test scores, absenteeism and food insecurity. — Ari Sen, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Statewide data show that students experiencing homelessness have among the highest rates of chronic absenteeism at about 35%, far above the state figure of 19%. — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Useful signals include employee feedback surveys, workload trends, overtime trends and absenteeism. — Marcy Klipfel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

absentee + -ism

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for absenteeism

• ageism
• deism
• theism
• manichaeism