leave of absence

noun phrase

1
: permission to be absent from duty or employment
2

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Following the backlash, Garg apologized and later took a leave of absence. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2023 The fill-in request from the school’s athletic director, Dewitt Doss, prompted by coach Donald Goodman’s leave of absence, was taken on a bit reluctantly by Dantzler, the 15-year basketball coach who has only watched baseball. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2023 Wu Xiaohui, then chairman of Anbang Insurance Group, goes on a mysterious leave of absence. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leave of absence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near leave of absence

Cite this Entry

“Leave of absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave%20of%20absence. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

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