Absent Without Official Leave: A term used in the United States Military to describe a soldier or other military member who has left his or her post without permission (usually in disagreement with a particular order). This is one of many military terms that has trickled down into everyday speech among civilian populations.
Private Johnson went AWOL after he received an order to join major combat forces in Iraq.
by Postman January 26, 2005
Get the AWOL mug.
The soldier was AWOL.
by Jennifer. July 11, 2004
Get the AWOL mug.
Absent Without Official Leave: military slang for leaving or being absent without having permission. Also Aaron Bruno's nickname. He's the leadsinger of AWOLNATION. See the connection?
Where is Nappa?
He's AWOL again.
Goddammit, Nappa.
by ThatoneguyfromSweden January 11, 2014
Get the AWOL mug.
Absent Without Official Leave
See: George W Bush.
George W. Bush was AWOL.
by Caleb Grant February 8, 2005
Get the AWOL mug.
Absence without leave. A term that USED to be used in the military to mean not being at your post or duty station at the required time. Civilians still use the term but the military uses the term UA (Unauthorized Absence) now.
Civilians still say AWOL but we use UA in the military.
by JeremyWolf March 23, 2008
Get the AWOL mug.
Absence without official leave.. also used in the Canadian military not just the US. It can be grounds for detention barracks..
"Where's Private Parts? "

"I don't know.. He's AWOL again"
by kattalack195 August 27, 2009
Get the AWOL mug.
1. Absent Without (Official) Leave. This is a term used by the military to describe the status of a soldier. It is now also used by civilians as a term to describe anyone who has taken off or is missing.

2. Alcohol Without Liquid. This is a machine which allows users to inhale vaporized alcohol mixed with oxygen through a tube instead of drinking an alcoholic beverage.
Did you hear about ODB? He's supposed to be in rehab, but he went AWOL.
by Paco February 25, 2005
Get the AWOL mug.