leave of absence

noun phrase

1
: permission to be absent from duty or employment
2

Examples of leave of absence 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.
During a medical leave of absence from school, Reid’s hair fell out in fist-sized clumps. Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026 Spearman took a leave of absence as CEO in 2023 to run for Denver mayor and then stepped down ahead of an unsuccessful run for the Denver school board. Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026 The singer made the decision after a difficult year, taking a leave of absence last spring to be with her children as their father was undergoing cancer treatment. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026 The actor entered a California treatment center in 2011 for a prescription drug addiction, and in 2017, his struggle with depression led him to take a leave of absence from the television series The Last Ship, halting production for over a month. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leave of absence

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of leave of absence was in 1756

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Cite this Entry

“Leave of absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave%20of%20absence. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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