'ausencia' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'absentia', where 'ab-' meant 'away' and 'esse' meant 'to be'.

'ausencia' changed from the Late Latin word 'absentia' (used in Late Latin and Medieval Latin) and passed into Old Spanish as 'ausencia', eventually becoming the modern Spanish 'ausencia'.

Initially, it meant 'being away or not present', and over time it broadened to include meanings such as 'lack' or 'deficiency' in addition to 'nonattendance'.