sabbatical year

noun

1. Also called sabbatical leave. (in a school, college, university, etc.) a year, usually every seventh, of release from normal teaching duties granted to a professor, as for study or travel.
2. Chiefly Biblical. a yearlong period to be observed by Jews once every seven years, during which the fields were to be left untilled and all agricultural labors were to be suspended. Leviticus 25. Compare jubilee ( def 6 ).

sabbatical year

noun

1. often capitals Bible a year during which the land was to be left uncultivated, debts annulled, etc, supposed to be observed every seventh year by the ancient Israelites according to Leviticus 25

Word History and Origins

Origin of sabbatical year¹

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

He said at the time that he was taking a sabbatical year and added he could be open to coaching a national team after his year off.

From Washington Times

In 1970, when the family left for a sabbatical year in Trujillo, Peru, the Kochs made sure to rent their home to a Black family, apparently the first in the neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times

The campaign also coincided with the Jewish sabbatical year known as “shmita” or the year of release.

From Washington Post

He decided against taking a sabbatical year in China, for fear it would make him a target.

From New York Times

During the pandemic sabbatical year, which offered plenty of time for reflection, Chen and Xi realized that fostering a classical-music community meant building not only a listening/ticket-buying base but a fellowship of participants.

From Seattle Times