# absentment

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absentment
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the state of being away from a place or not present. It is an old-fashioned word that you might see in very old books or legal documents.

For teachers: the state of being absent or away from a specific location. Primarily used in legal or historical contexts to describe a period of non-attendance.

## Examples

- The judge noted the defendant's long history of absentment.
- The school records showed a pattern of frequent absentment that led to the student's eventual expulsion.
- In the absence of a clear witness to the event, the court relied on the defendant's own absentment from the scene to establish his guilt.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.