absenteeism

noun

ab·​sen·​tee·​ism ˌab-sən-ˈtē-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce absenteeism (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chronic absenteeism also has not returned to pre-2020 levels. Jill Stegman, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 The respondents indicated that the federal activity is being nearly universally felt, with 90% of partners saying they've been impacted, 90% saying fear or stress was affecting operations and 72% reporting staffing absenteeism, Meet Minneapolis said. Jason Rantala, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 Roughly 1 in 10 sixth graders missed at least 36 days of the 2023-24 school year — a level of absenteeism that was rare before the pandemic. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026 Parenting teens are significantly more likely to experience chronic absenteeism--one of the strongest predictors of course failure and dropout. Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absenteeism

Word History

Etymology

absentee + -ism

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of absenteeism was in 1829

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Cite this Entry

“Absenteeism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absenteeism. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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