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

Explanation

If you’ve got no reason to skip school or work, but you do it all the time anyway, you’ve got a bad case of absenteeism. When there's absenteeism, someone isn't showing up. Absenteeism is a word for the habit of being absent. If you miss weeks of school, absenteeism has become a problem. Calling in sick to work every week is another example of absenteeism. Absenteeism can be like a contagious disease — sometimes, entire schools have problems with absenteeism. If there’s a good excuse for the absence, like a serious illness, it’s not absenteeism. So don’t forget those doctor’s notes.

Example Sentences

TSA pay lapses led to absenteeism and long lines at airport checkpoints.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

In 2017/18, only 6% of girls affected by absenteeism were severely absent.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

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

A school district seeing absenteeism similar to what it experienced during the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025

I do not think that he had the south in mind, stressing as he does the absenteeism of the masters and the mortgages of their lands for capital borrowed in England.

From The Brothers' War by Reed, John Calvin