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
Woody West
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
Herman MelvilleExamples of incontinence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pelvic floor muscles support the function of your bladder, bowel and the uterus, and research shows a link between women with urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and poor posture.
—Danielle Zickl, SELF, 24 Apr. 2025
By this point, the YouTuber had been dealing with incontinence regularly, which made everything even more complicated.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
April 22, and will address common issues like back and pelvic pain, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
As the condition worsens, patients may experience difficulty eating, moving around, incontinence, loss of speech, and significant memory loss.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
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Danielle Zickl, SELF, 24 Apr. 2025
By this point, the YouTuber had been dealing with incontinence regularly, which made everything even more complicated.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
April 22, and will address common issues like back and pelvic pain, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
As the condition worsens, patients may experience difficulty eating, moving around, incontinence, loss of speech, and significant memory loss.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
Cite this Entry
“Incontinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incontinence. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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