absenteeism

noun

ab·​sen·​tee·​ism ˌab-sən-ˈtē-ˌi-zəm 

1

: prolonged absence of an owner from his or her property

2

: chronic absence (as from work or school)

also : the rate of such absence

Examples of absenteeism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flashback: Last year, students from Madison and Mira Mesa high schools, and the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts won for their projects reducing consumption of single-use plastics, improving mental health resources and addressing chronic absenteeism. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025

And if that weren’t enough, chronic stress is a leading cause of heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses, which are estimated to cost US companies $300 billion annually in health costs, absenteeism, and poor performance. —Shani Harmon, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

But when immigration checks and raids tick up, so can the rates of absenteeism of undocumented students. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

Chronic absenteeism, in recent years, has become a significant educational concern throughout Maryland. —Chris Papst, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

absentee + -ism

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for absenteeism

• deism
• theism