Definition

Noun: - A period of authorized absence from duty for a sailor or naval officer, spent on land: This term specifically refers to official permission for a member of a ship's crew to leave the vessel and spend time ashore, typically for rest and recreation.

Usage

• Shore leave is a formal term used in naval and maritime contexts. It is an uncountable noun. You grant, get, have, or are on shore leave.
• It describes the official permission itself and the resulting period of time off the ship.

Examples

• The captain granted the crew shore leave after two months at sea.
• The sailors were excited to have 48 hours of shore leave in the port city.
• During his shore leave, he visited his family.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on shore leave": to be in the state of having permission to be ashore.
  • Half the crew is on shore leave, so the ship is quiet.
• The concept is often associated with traditional naval culture and port visits.

Variants and Related Words

• Leave (n): A more general term for authorized absence from duty. "Shore leave" is a specific type of leave.
• Liberty (n): In U.S. naval context, often used synonymously with "shore leave" for authorized time off the ship.
  • The sailors went on liberty in San Diego.

Synonyms

• Liberty (especially U.S. Navy usage)
• Time ashore
• Leave

Antonyms

• Duty
• Watch (a period of duty on a ship)

Related Phrases

• To go ashore: The action of leaving the ship to go on land, which is what one does during shore leave.
  • The crew went ashore as soon as shore leave was granted.

Noun

1. leave granted to a sailor or naval officer