From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishleave of absenceleave of absenceBECa period of time that you are allowed to spend away from work for a particular purpose She’s been given leave of absence to attend a computer course. → leave
Examples from the Corpus
leave of absence• They say she was not fired, but failed to return after a leave of absence.• I could take a leave of absence from graduate study for one year and still have my fellowship held for me.• Arienne is taking a leave of absence to do a Master's degree.• Patrick Brady, 28, took a leave of absence from Gov.• Morales said his leave of absence from the district runs out May 23.• As the Gay situation unraveled, reserve guard Charlie Taylor was granted an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons.• In 1624 he obtained leave of absence from the University and served as a Member of Parliament.• Whether this entitles the House to exclude a peer on leave of absence has not been tested.• I would have been pleased had Peter been somewhat hesitant to grant me a one-week leave of absence.From Longman Business Dictionaryleave of absenceˌleave of ˈabsence (plural leaves of absence)HUMAN RESOURCES permission given to someone not to be at work when normally they should beEmployees may only take leave of absence in special circumstances such as the death of a close relative. → absence 