absentee
noun
ab·sen·tee
ˌab-sən-ˈtē 
: 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
The Georgia law, among other things, required a photo ID to vote absentee by mail, cut the period to request an absentee ballot and placed limits on ballot drop boxes.
—
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
One of the big-name absentees from the Scouting Combine will be Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
While Missouri permits absentee voting by mail, ballots must be notarized, a step that often effectively defeats the convenience of voting by mail.
—Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Democratic primaries in Bridgeport often decide who is elected to state and local office in that city, and those elections frequently feature warring factions that aggressively pursue absentee voters.
—Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absentee
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
One of the big-name absentees from the Scouting Combine will be Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
While Missouri permits absentee voting by mail, ballots must be notarized, a step that often effectively defeats the convenience of voting by mail.
—Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Democratic primaries in Bridgeport often decide who is elected to state and local office in that city, and those elections frequently feature warring factions that aggressively pursue absentee voters.
—Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absentee
Cite this Entry
“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
absentee
noun
ab·sen·tee
ˌab-sən-ˈtē
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share