Out of station

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Meaning

Away from one's usual city, workplace or place of residence. Neutral regional English. Outside South Asia, away or out of town is more likely to be understood immediately. Regional use: Indian and South Asian English.

Origin

In colonial South Asia, station could mean an official's assigned post or the place where a government or military establishment was based. Indian English extended out of station to ordinary absence from one's usual place. That historical vocabulary makes the development plausible, but a definitive first citation for the modern phrase has not been established here.

Variants

  • Be out of station
  • Go out of station
  • Currently out of station

Usage Examples

  • The director is out of station until Thursday and will sign the papers on her return.
  • We are going out of station for the long weekend.

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