compassionate leave

American

[kuhm-pash-uhn-it leev] / kəmˈpæʃ ən ɪt ˈliv /

noun

Chiefly British. time off from work, or out of prison, granted to someone because of a death or health crisis in their family.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

compassionate leaves

plural

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In his first game after compassionate leave, there was a poignant moment at Anfield when the defender was in tears while celebrating a goal against Newcastle in the 4-1 win.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Instead it was Konate who rounded off the scoring in his first match since returning from compassionate leave after the death of his father.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

Konate had missed Liverpool's three previous matches after being allowed compassionate leave.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

South Africa have given Marizanne Kapp "compassionate leave" after her wife Dane van Niekerk was left out of the country's Women's T20 World Cup squad.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2023

Mr Doran had taken compassionate leave to care for Sher who died of cancer aged 72 in 2021.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023