leave of absence

noun

1. permission to be absent from duty, employment, service, etc.; leave.

2. the length of time granted in such permission.

   a two-year leave of absence.

leave of absence

noun

1. permission to be absent from work or duty

2. the period of absence

Word History and Origins

Origin of leave of absence¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Not only that, but he then took a leave of absence from the court and went to Nuremberg to become the chief U.S. prosecutor, and the man who ultimately faced down Göring in open court.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the summer chief executive Claire Burden was announced as taking an extended leave of absence, followed by Professor Gordon James taking over as interim chief executive.

Read more on BBC

Myeong had previously requested a six-month leave of absence, citing depression, but returned to school in 20 days, after a doctor assessed her as being fit to work, the Daejeon education office said in February.

Read more on BBC

When she gets pregnant with her son, Reuben, she is laid low and takes a temporary leave of absence from school.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This season happily occasioned the arrival of a new soloist, Ryan Tomash, currently on a leave of absence from the Royal Danish Ballet, where he is a principal dancer.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• furlough 
• sabbatical