absenteeism

American  

[ab-suhn-tee-iz-uhm] / ˌæb sənˈti ɪz əm /

noun

1. frequent or habitual absence from work, school, etc..

   rising absenteeism in the industry.

2. the practice of being an absentee landlord.

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absenteeism British  

/ ˌæbsənˈtiːɪzəm /

noun

1. persistent absence from work, school, etc

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absenteeism Cultural  

1. Habitual absence from work, thought to reflect employee demoralization or dissatisfaction.

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Etymology

Origin of absenteeism

First recorded in 1820–30; absentee + -ism

Example Sentences

Teachers nationwide shared stories with The 19th about the toll that immigration enforcement is having on students, from chronic absenteeism to emotional distress that makes learning nearly impossible.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2026

Statewide student test scores and absenteeism rates — although improving — are worse than in 2018-19, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

When older, those with ACEs experience higher rates of absenteeism and other issues at work and struggle to remain employed.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025

In 2024, California reported a chronic absenteeism rate of about 20% statewide.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 23, 2025

He says that a prohibition of absenteeism carried out to its logical conclusion would require every man to sit on the sod he had tilled himself.

From Principles of Political Economy, Vol. II by Roscher, Wilhelm