absentee
noun
ab·sen·tee
ˌab-sən-ˈtē 
: one that is absent: such as
a
: a proprietor of an estate or business who lives far away from it and rarely visits it
b
: one missing from work or school
absentee
adjective
Examples of absentee in a Sentence
There were 10 sick absentees that day.
Recent Examples on the Web
De Jong was a surprise absentee from the starting line-up due to fatigue.
—
Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The commission’s decisions can be appealed in court, but face a tight timeline before county clerks must complete ballot preparation for the start of absentee mail voting in mid-March.
—Tom Davies, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Voter rolls from the 2020 general election from absentee, early voting, in person, and any other voter roll.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
It can also be deployed as a strategy by political groups or campaigns to ensure that voters who requested absentee or mail-in ballots turn them in, with staffers or volunteers going to voters’ homes and offering to drop off their ballots for them.
—Connor Greene, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absentee
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Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The commission’s decisions can be appealed in court, but face a tight timeline before county clerks must complete ballot preparation for the start of absentee mail voting in mid-March.
—Tom Davies, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Voter rolls from the 2020 general election from absentee, early voting, in person, and any other voter roll.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
It can also be deployed as a strategy by political groups or campaigns to ensure that voters who requested absentee or mail-in ballots turn them in, with staffers or volunteers going to voters’ homes and offering to drop off their ballots for them.
—Connor Greene, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absentee
Cite this Entry
“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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Legal Definition
absentee
noun
ab·sen·tee
ˌab-sən-ˈtē
: one that is absent: as
a
: a proprietor who lives away from his or her business or estate
b
: a potential party to a legal action who is not present or does not have a representative present at a proceeding
absentee
adjective
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