1. A period of unpaid time off, used to reduce costs to the employer
   "Many companies implemented furloughs during the economic downturn"
    
2. A temporary leave of absence from military duty
   "The soldier was granted a two-week furlough to visit his family"

1. [N. Amer] Dismiss, usually for economic reasons
   "She was furloughed together with hundreds of other workers when the company downsized";
   - lay off
    
2. [N. Amer] Grant a leave to
   "The prisoner was furloughed for the weekend to visit her children"
    
3. Put an employee on unpaid leave to reduce costs
   "The company had to furlough 20% of its workforce due to budget constraints"

Derived forms: furloughed, furloughs, furloughing

Type of: allow, can [N. Amer, informal], countenance, dismiss, displace, fire, force out, give notice, give the axe [informal], give the sack [informal], leave, leave of absence, let, permit, sack, send away, terminate

Encyclopedia: Furlough