incontinence

noun

in·​con·​ti·​nence (ˌ)in-ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being incontinent

We may reasonably trust … that public sobriety will reassert itself over the political and intellectual incontinence that currently commands the headlines.

—Woody West

: such as

a

: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation : partial or complete loss of bladder or bowel control

fecal incontinence

urinary incontinence

see also stress incontinence, urge incontinence

b

: failure to restrain sexual appetite

It is true that the religion of the missionaries has … effected some good. It has restrained the vices of theft and incontinence.

—Herman Melville

Examples of incontinence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During Season 3, Harry had been experiencing penile symptoms such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which prompted him to go to the doctor, who diagnosed him with prostate cancer. —Scarlett Harris, Time, 13 Aug. 2025

Poor sleep traits were linked to 1.5 times the risk of 122 diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory failure, certain bone fractures and urinary incontinence. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025

The study, published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters, analyzed 43 period underwear, eight reusable pads, four menstrual cups, three reusable incontinence underwear and one reusable incontinence pad — a total of 59 products. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 22 July 2025

The three main symptoms are gait issues, urinary incontinence and cognitive difficulties. —Anna Kaplan, NBC news, 22 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing incontinence

• stress incontinence
• urge incontinence

Rhymes for incontinence

• continence

Kids Definition

incontinence

noun

in·​con·​ti·​nence (ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being incontinent

Medical Definition

incontinence

noun

in·​con·​ti·​nence (ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s 

1

: inability or failure to restrain sexual appetite

2

: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions

fecal incontinence

see stress incontinence, urge incontinence