shore leave

American  

noun

Navy.

1. permission to spend time ashore, usually 48 hours or more, granted a member of a ship's company.

2. the time spent ashore during such leave.

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shore leave British  

noun

1. permission to go ashore Compare liberty

2. time spent ashore during leave

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Etymology

Origin of shore leave

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Normally arrival in a new port means loading and unloading cargo, shore leave, and ordering provisions.

From BBC

The Navy was big business for Long Beach, and for the Pike, where thousands of Navy “gobs” stationed here spent some of their shore leave and their earnings.

From Los Angeles Times

One didn’t feel any real connection between the lovers, but maybe that, too, was wanted, given that the callous American sailor treats marriage to a geisha during a shore leave in Nagasaki as a lark.

From Los Angeles Times

An Israeli official said Ankara had submitted a preliminary request for the crew to disembark on shore leave.

From Reuters

And, of course, the service members take advantage of their shore leave to explore the city’s many diversions.

From New York Times