abstinence

1 of 3

noun (1)

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

abstinent

2 of 3

adjective

ab·​sti·​nent ˈab-stə-nənt 

: practicing abstinence : abstemious, continent, temperate

abstinently adverb

abstinent

3 of 3

noun (2)

ab·​sti·​nent ˈab-stə-nənt 

plural -s

1

: one that abstains

2

usually capitalized : one of a 4th century Christian ascetic sect in southwestern Europe that rejected meat eating and held that the relation between the sexes should be purely spiritual compare priscillianist

Synonyms of abstinence

Noun (1)

• temperance

Examples of abstinence in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

But he's benefited from his busy daily workload and a lifetime of abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, said his physician, Sean Barbabella. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 30 May 2026

Rather than framing non-alcoholic beer around abstinence or restriction, the activations are designed to recreate the communal atmosphere traditionally associated with beer and live sports. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

While long-term abstinence can help, experts say some impairments may be only partially reversible, depending on how long and how much alcohol was consumed. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

These bouts of abstinence and punishment would work for a while but, like garden weeds, the pounds would always come back. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Adjective

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, derivative of abstinent abstinent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th 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