absence meaning and definition

ABSENCE noun

Definition of absence (noun)

1. the state of being absent
   • "he was surprised by the absence of any explanation"
   • antonym: presence
2. failure to be present
   • antonym: presence
3. the time interval during which something or somebody is away
   • "he visited during my absence"
4. the occurrence of an abrupt, transient loss or impairment of consciousness (which is not subsequently remembered), sometimes with light twitching, fluttering eyelids, etc.; common in petit mal epilepsy
   • synonyms: absence seizure