shore leave

noun

: a leave of absence to go on shore granted to a sailor or naval officer

Examples of shore leave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ships were docked in San Francisco, where the crews were on shore leave. — Longreads, 5 Sep. 2023 Additionally, the unions are asking for officials to arrange for shore leave for the crew once the ship returns to port, as their visas expired while they’ve been stranded. — Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024 The wooden gatehouse and cellblocks of the Old Lahaina Prison, built in the 1850s to deal with rowdy sailors on shore leave, are gone. — Tim Arango, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2023 There have also been numerous shore leave adventures and unashamed comedy outings where the protagonists' actions have little bearing on the universe beyond their starship hull. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shore leave

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shore leave was in 1888

Rhymes for shore leave

See All Rhymes for shore leave

Browse Nearby Words

shore lark
shore leave
shoreless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shore leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shore%20leave. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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