sabbatical

/səˈbædəkəl/

/səˈbætɪkəl/

Other forms: sabbaticals

If your job entitles you, you probably take a sabbatical every seven years, which means you get a year of paid leave to do whatever you want to further your understanding of the world.

The word sabbatical, which can be a noun or an adjective, comes from the Greek word sabatikos, which means “of the Sabbath,” the day of rest that happens every seventh day. Most teaching jobs come with the promise of a sabbatical, which is a year of not having to teach, though you still get paid. During your sabbatical, you usually are expected to do research and perhaps write a book — in other words, keep working.

Definitions of sabbatical

1. noun

   a leave usually taken every seventh year
   synonyms: sabbatical leave

   types:

   sabbatical year

   a sabbatical leave lasting one year

   type of:

   leave, leave of absence

   the period of time during which you are absent from work or duty
2. adjective

   of or relating to a leave usually taken every seventh year
   “sabbatical research project”
3. adjective

   of or relating to the Sabbath
   “Friday is a sabbatical day for Muslims”

   synonyms: sabbatic