leave of absence

noun phrase

1
: permission to be absent from duty or employment
2
: leave sense 1b

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.
Abdel-Hady, who had been an interim superintendent after Hill took a leave of absence from the job last July, was appointed to the superintendent’s job in March and officially took over July 1. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026 Savannah, 54, returned to Today in early April after taking an extended leave of absence amid the investigation. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Monday’s Instagram video comes amid Savannah’s leave of absence from Today to film her new game show, Wordle. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026 The Sinaloa governor has taken a leave of absence while the US investigation is underway. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Leavenworth
leave of absence
leave off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leave of absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave%20of%20absence. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on leave of absence

Nglish: Translation of leave of absence for Spanish Speakers

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