Sabbatical

[ suh-bat-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or pertaining or appropriate to the Sabbath.
2. (lowercase) of or relating to a sabbatical year.
3. (lowercase) bringing a period of rest.

noun

1. (lowercase) sabbatical year.
2. (lowercase) any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.

sabbatical

¹

/ səˈbætɪkəl /

adjective

1. denoting a period of leave granted to university staff, teachers, etc, esp approximately every seventh year

   a sabbatical year

   sabbatical leave

2. denoting a post that renders the holder eligible for such leave

noun

1. any sabbatical period

Sabbatical

²

/ səˈbætɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or appropriate to the Sabbath as a day of rest and religious observance

noun

1. short for sabbatical year

Other Words From

• Sab·bati·cal·ly adverb
• Sab·bati·cal·ness noun
• non-Sab·batic adjective noun
• non-Sab·bati·cal adjective noun
• non-Sab·bati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sabbatical¹

First recorded in 1605–15; equivalent to Greek sabbatikós (from sábbat(on) Sabbath + -ikos -ic ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sabbatical¹

C16: from Greek sabbatikos; see Sabbath

Example Sentences

Barrett, a former two-time World Player of the Year, spent the early part of this year playing for Japanese side Toyota Verblitz as part of a sabbatical agreed with New Zealand Rugby.

From BBC

This will be Farrell's last window as Ireland coach before he takes his sabbatical to lead the British and Irish Lions in next summer's tour to Australia.

From BBC

I was doing research overseas, on sabbatical from the law school where I teach, when my case of sudden deafness struck.

From Slate

The Money troupe discuss an everyman who struck it big and lost it all on Tesla options, the financial impact of America’s recent storms, and Felix’s impending sabbatical.

From Slate

They also examine the curious case of a Canadian carpenter who made and lost a fortune on Tesla options, and Felix reveals what he’ll be up to on his upcoming sabbatical.

From Slate

Related Words

• furlough
• leave of absence
• recess
• time off