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 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 There is no early or no-excuse absentee voting, however. Bridget Bowman, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2024 Contact your election board for information on mail-in absentee voting. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 There is no absentee voting for caucuses, as that's in-person voting only. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 How is early voting different from absentee voting? Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2024 Cignetti has said the Hoosiers expect to have a few absentees due to postseason surgeries. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 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 18 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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