absentee

noun

ab·​sen·​tee ˌab-sən-ˈtē How to pronounce absentee (audio)
: one that is absent: such as
a
: a proprietor of an estate or business who lives far away from it and rarely visits it
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
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.
More than 60% of those ballots were submitted through absentee voting or early in-person voting. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 An additional 3,280 absentee mail-in ballots counted through Monday brought the county’s vote total for the first four days of early voting to 75,165. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026 The absentee figure includes mail-in ballots as well as those returned through drop boxes or in person. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Jackson’s opponent, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, has not voted absentee in recent years. — David Wickert, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absentee

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

Phrases Containing absentee

Rhymes for absentee

See All Rhymes for absentee

Browse Nearby Words

absentation
absentee
absentee ballot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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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
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