in absentia

American

[in ab-sen-shuh, -shee-uh, -tee-uh] / ɪn æbˈsɛn ʃə, -ʃi ə, -ti ə /

adverb

Latin.

in the absence of the person involved.

He was sentenced in absentia by the court.

in absentia British

/ ɪn æbˈsɛntɪə /

adverb

in the absence of (someone indicated)

he was condemned in absentia

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

in absentia Idioms

While not present, as in He was tried and convicted in absentia, or He was awarded his degree in absentia. This expression is Latin for “in absence”; its use in English dates from the late 1800s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On Monday, the Chinese captain of the Boracay was set to go on trial in absentia in the city of Brest in western France.

From Barron's

Hasina, 78, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India decrying an "illegal" election.

From Barron's

George said they would try the suspect in absentia if he failed to return to Ghana.

From BBC

Hasina, 78, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India decrying an "illegal and unconstitutional election".

From Barron's

He launched an ambitious programme to seek justice against the ousted regime, and Hasina -- now a convicted fugitive in hiding in India -- was sentenced in absentia to death for crimes against humanity.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023