Collocations for absence - noun

extended, lengthy, long, prolonged
brief, temporary
frequent
excused (AmE)
unauthorized, unexplained

period
You will not be paid for the full period of absence.

have
Your son has had too many absences from school.

notice
Nobody had noticed her absence.

explain

during sb's absence, in sb's absence (= while sb is not there)
My father did all the cooking in my mother's absence.

absence from
absence from work

conspicuous by your absence, notable by your absence (esp. BrE)
When it came to clearing up after the party, Anne was conspicuous by her absence (= very obviously absent when she should have been present).

leave of absence (= permission to be absent)
He asked for leave of absence from his job.

complete, total
virtual
conspicuous, notable
a conspicuous absence of evidence

in the absence of
In the absence of stone, most houses in the area are built of wood.