leave of absence
Americannoun
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permission to be absent from duty, employment, service, etc.; leave.
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the length of time granted in such permission.
a two-year leave of absence.
noun
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permission to be absent from work or duty
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the period of absence
Etymology
Origin of leave of absence
First recorded in 1765–75
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.
“I had planned to stay for an extra quarter to finish my undergraduate degree as well, since I had to take a leave of absence for health reasons.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
Judges have granted him leave of absence at every hearing so far.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
He was manager of Bristol City when Theo died and took a brief leave of absence before returning to his role.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
Gov. Rubén Rocha said late Friday that he requested a leave of absence after Mexico’s federal government launched an investigation to determine whether he should be arrested and extradited to the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
After weeks of prayer, I decided to take a leave of absence from my career and join the fight overseas.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
