absence/ˋæbsṇs; ˈæbs$ns/n 1 [C,U] when you are not in a place that you are expected to be normally 不在﹔缺席: +from frequent absences from work 经常缺勤in/during sb's absence The vice president will handle things in my absence. 我不在的时候﹐副总裁将会料理事务。2 [U] the lack of something 缺乏: In the absence of any firm evidence (=because there wasn’t any), the police had to let him go. 由于没有确凿的证据﹐警方只得将他释放。