If workers are given furlough, they are told to stay away from work for a certain period because there is not enough for them to do. This could mean a massive furlough of government workers
When soldiers are given furlough, they are given official permission to leave the area where they are based or are fighting, for a certain period. I was at home on furlough
If people who work for a particular organization are furloughed, they are given a furlough. We regret to inform you that you are being furloughed indefinitely The factories have begun furloughing hundreds of workers. = lay off
Leave of absence; especially, leave given to an officer or soldier to be absent from service for a certain time; also, the document granting leave of absence
a temporary leave of absence from military duty grant a leave to; "The prisoner was furloughed for the weekend to visit her children" dismiss, usually for economic reasons; "She was laid off together with hundreds of other workers when the company downsized