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
That includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers, and accounts for absenteeism resulting from sick leave, parental leave, vacation time, statutory holidays, illness, injury, and even bad weather and labour disputes.
—
Joe O’Connor, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Newsom also cited statutory increases to sick leave and family leave that outstrips many other states.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The State of Michigan says the new rules that took effect in February require paid sick leave for most employees.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The investigation was further complicated when the lead detective went on sick leave with a terminal illness, passing it off to a new investigator, according to testimony.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sick leave
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Joe O’Connor, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Newsom also cited statutory increases to sick leave and family leave that outstrips many other states.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The State of Michigan says the new rules that took effect in February require paid sick leave for most employees.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
The investigation was further complicated when the lead detective went on sick leave with a terminal illness, passing it off to a new investigator, according to testimony.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sick leave
Cite this Entry
“Sick leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sick%20leave. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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