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

This homely and wholesome couple one may meet any afternoon in Paris, on leave-of-absence days.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was entirely regular; we had leave-of-absence from college, and Mrs. McBride chaperoned us.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• furlough
• sabbatical