absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: such as
a
: a proprietor that lives away from his or her estate or business
b
: one missing from work or school
absentee adjective

Examples of absentee in a Sentence

There were 10 sick absentees that day.
Recent Examples on the Web Finally, a full-time, permanent staff member is responsible for spot-checking ballots in every ward of the initial batch to ensure everything within the absentee packet is complete and accurate, Woodall said. Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 The first day of absentee in-person voting is Tuesday, May 16. The Courier-Journal, 6 Mar. 2024 Voters in Michigan have had a number of options available to cast their ballots, with both absentee and in-person early voting opportunities, and on Election Day, polls will be also be open. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024 Later there’s Pearson at 4 years old, decked out in a new dress and waiting to meet the absentee mother who quickly locks her in a closet and strips off her clothes to sell in order to score drugs. Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Voters can access the absentee voting application here. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 For the first time ever in a statewide election, Michigan voters had the chance to vote early as well as absentee. Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 No-excuse, in-person absentee voting, also known as early voting, begins two weeks before Election Day on Tuesday, March 19. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 One of the most prolific is Abhishek Rai, who has racked up more than 3,000 five-star reviews offering leads on motivated sellers, vacant properties or absentee owners since joining the platform in April 2020. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absentee.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abscenté "person holding property in Ireland but illegally resident in England," from past participle of absenter "to be absent," verbal derivative of absent absent entry 1

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absentee was in 1537

Dictionary Entries Near absentee

Cite this Entry

“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: a person who is absent
absentee adjective

Legal Definition

absentee

noun
ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: as
a
: a proprietor who lives away from his or her business or estate
b
: a potential party to a legal action who is not present or does not have a representative present at a proceeding
absentee adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on absentee

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