abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s How to pronounce abstinence (audio)
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 adjective
abstinently adverb

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 The authors note the limitations in their shorter follow-up period after the social media hiatus and call for research that looks at the longer-term effects of SNS abstinence on a wider variety of users. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 8 Nov. 2023 Two scientific review papers found preaching abstinence to kids doesn’t prevent unwanted pregnancies or the transmitting of STDs. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 1 Nov. 2023 Beyond a handful of trials that emphasize the use of monoclonal antibodies to bind to methamphetamine molecules and prevent them from binding with brain receptors, there are markedly few medications under development meant to help people reduce stimulant use or fully achieve abstinence. Lev Facher, STAT, 4 Oct. 2023 As your article pointed out, complete abstinence from substances is not always effective in a recovery experience and there is a great deal of quality science to support that this is the case. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023 Like so many other prosecutors and judges, Slone believed abstinence was the only path to recovery. Taylor Sisk, CBS News, 28 June 2023 But some evidence suggests that sperm quality changes after different periods of abstinence. Yuliya Klochan, Health, 20 Oct. 2023 Faherty found that policies meant to punish mothers to prevent drug use had no effect on rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Amy Yurkanin | Ayurkanin@al.com, al, 4 Aug. 2023 Notably, the agency also expressed openness to trial endpoints other than complete abstinence from drug use. Lev Facher, STAT, 4 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abstinence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abstinence was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near abstinence

Cite this Entry

“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstinence. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

abstinence

noun
ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s How to pronounce abstinence (audio)
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 adjective
abstinently adverb

Medical Definition

abstinence

noun
ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s How to pronounce abstinence (audio)
: the act or practice of abstaining especially from engagement in sexual intercourse or consumption of intoxicating beverages
abstinent adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on abstinence

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