shore leave

noun

: a leave of absence to go on shore granted to a sailor or naval officer

Examples of shore leave 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.
To kick things off, the Enterprise is due for shore leave, during which Number One (Rebecca Romijn) plans to stay on the ship — more on that later. Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025 Look Who’s Talking, starring Kirstie Alley as a single mother whose son—first as an infant and then as a toddler—wisecracks like a sailor on shore leave, though only the audience can hear it. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 July 2025 Still others testify to the military’s ongoing concern with sunburn and skin cancer (perhaps on shore leave?). The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025 Additionally, the unions are asking for officials to arrange for shore leave for the crew once the ship returns to port, as their visas expired while they’ve been stranded. Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for shore leave

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shore leave was in 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Shore leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shore%20leave. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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