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
Originally developed in the late 1940s by gynecologist Arnold Kegel as a noninvasive treatment for urinary incontinence in women, notes Caponero, Kegels involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Research has found that doing pelvic floor exercises can help with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and urinary incontinence, especially after prostate surgery.
—Stacey Colino, Time, 9 June 2026
The Health Risks Patients Face Studies have reported patients suffering short- and long-term side effects from unregulated procedures, including heart problems, neurological changes, accidental infection with hepatitis and urinary incontinence.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Symptoms differ from strokes caused by a blockage in the brain, as a spinal stroke causes pain in the neck or back that radiates through the limbs, muscle weakness or numbness, incontinence and loss of sensation, such as feeling touch or temperature changes.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Research has found that doing pelvic floor exercises can help with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and urinary incontinence, especially after prostate surgery.
—Stacey Colino, Time, 9 June 2026
The Health Risks Patients Face Studies have reported patients suffering short- and long-term side effects from unregulated procedures, including heart problems, neurological changes, accidental infection with hepatitis and urinary incontinence.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Symptoms differ from strokes caused by a blockage in the brain, as a spinal stroke causes pain in the neck or back that radiates through the limbs, muscle weakness or numbness, incontinence and loss of sensation, such as feeling touch or temperature changes.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
Cite this Entry
“Incontinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incontinence. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
