sick leave

noun

1

: an absence from work permitted because of illness

2

: the number of days per year for which an employer agrees to pay employees who are sick

Examples of sick leave in a Sentence

employee benefits such as vacation time and sick leave

We are allotted three weeks annual sick leave.

He's been on sick leave since last Thursday.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to workers, the company had offered a 20% raise over five years in exchange for eliminating retirement benefits and cutting sick leave by half. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

The statement pointed out that the king has been on sick leave for two weeks. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

The authors also called for independent health insurance, paid sick leave and more precise health and safety standards covering dormitories, canteens and areas surrounding factories. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026

He is accused of submitting fraudulent doctor's notes to obtain sick leave pay on five occasions. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sick leave

• achieve
• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• perceive
• receive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve
• breve
• cleave

Medical Definition

sick leave

noun

1

: an absence from work permitted because of illness

2

: the number of days per year for which an employer agrees to pay employees who are sick