abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 

1

: the practice of abstaining from something : the practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable

… ate with a haste and an apparent relish, that seemed to betoken long abstinence from food.

—Walter Scott

2

a

: habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages

b

: abstention from sexual intercourse

abstinent

ˈab-stə-nənt 

adjective

abstinently adverb

Synonyms of abstinence

• temperance

Examples of abstinence in a Sentence

The program promoted sexual abstinence for young people.

a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue

Recent Examples on the Web

While the ultimate goal remains getting people off drugs, immediate abstinence isn’t required for help to be provided. —Albert Chern, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

During this time, fish fry dinners are very popular, as fish are excluded from the abstinence of meat. —Jelissa Burns, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026

While abstinence from drugs is the only way to prevent overdose, testing can help decrease the risk of overdose when used in concert with other harm reduction strategies. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Second, when deciding between abstinence and occasional light drinking, the most relevant comparison for me is between people who drink lightly and those who never drink. —Robert M. Kaplan, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin abstinentia, noun derivative of abstinent-, abstinens, present participle of abstinēre "to abstain"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 

1

: an abstaining from giving in to an appetite or from eating some foods

2

a

: habitual abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages

b

: abstention from sexual intercourse

abstinent

-nənt 

adjective

abstinently adverb

Medical Definition

abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 

: the act or practice of abstaining especially from engagement in sexual intercourse or consumption of intoxicating beverages

abstinent

-nənt 

adjective