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 election came as Elk Grove Unified, California’s fourth-largest school district, worked to address budget pressures, chronic absenteeism and the needs of its roughly 64,000 students. — Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Its chronic absenteeism rate declined from about 22% to a little less than 18%, the district’s Illinois Report Card shows. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Their level of apathy and absenteeism will spell the difference between a good and a great night for Democrats. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

The index combines 12 factors, including test scores and chronic absenteeism, to produce one number representing the performance of Connecticut schools. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

absentee + -ism

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for absenteeism

• ageism
• deism
• theism
• manichaeism