: an organized absence from work by workers on the pretext of sickness

Examples of sick-out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Earlier this month, hundreds of Metro bus riders staged a sick-out in protest of the rising number of assaults among their ranks carried out by passengers. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024 On Wednesday, the City Council voted to pay $250,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by Baggett’s family members. — TRANSIT TRAUMA: Days after hundreds of Metro bus drivers staged a sick-out protesting safety concerns, L.A.’s transit network continued to experience a string of violent behavior. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sick-out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sick-out was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near sick-out

Cite this Entry

“Sick-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sick-out. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

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