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.
Judges have granted him leave of absence at every hearing so far.
From Barron's • May 27, 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
Anderson had earlier last year announced she was taking a "temporary leave of absence", saying that "commentary" was "detracting" from the job.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
You mentioned that a leave of absence and a change in roles did not help.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026
Steven’s mother has had to take a leave of absence from her job to take care of Jeffrey, so just when their need is greatest, half of their cash flow is gone.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
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.
