noun
plural -sences
[singular] :a state or condition in which something expected, wanted, or looked for is not present or does not exist :a state or condition in which something is absent
[count] a failure to be present at a usual or expected place
a period of time when someone is not present at a place, job, etc.
The saying absence makes the heart grow fonder means that you tend to like someone better when that person goes away for a time.
in someone's absence
while someone is away
in the place of someone who is not present