abstinence

play

noun ab·sti·nence \ ˈab-stə-nən(t)s \

Definition of abstinence

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

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abstinent

play \-nənt\ adjective

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abstinently

adverb

See abstinence defined for English-language learners

See abstinence defined for kids

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 of abstinence from the Web

Many have also supported abstinence over contraception.

— katie van syckle, The Cut, "Trump Administration Quietly Cuts $213 Million in Funds to Prevent Teen Pregnancy," 16 July 2017
Soon, a unit with eight private rooms for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their mothers will open.

— catherine saint louis, Alaska Dispatch News, "A tide of opioid-dependent newborns forces doctors to rethink treatment," 14 July 2017
There's an idea that abstinence is best for everyone with addiction, and that the two medications, which are themselves opiate-based, simply trade one drug for another.

— terry demio, Cincinnati.com, "Jails finally offer drug treatment, but is it the right kind?," 9 July 2017
Treatment A is abstinence-only sex education vs Treatment B that is comprehensive sex education.

— leah torres, SELF, "Abortion Is Health Care—End of Story," 27 June 2017
Most people will turn back at this point, deciding that internet abstinence is not for them.

— kim komando, Fox News, "How to delete yourself from the internet," 25 June 2017
Most people will turn back at this point, deciding that Internet abstinence is not for them.

— kim komando, USA TODAY, "How to delete yourself from the Internet," 23 June 2017
Read more: Autism risk increases 34% if mom has fever while pregnant, study says Although the reasons aren't clear, the CDC said evidence shows teen pregnancy's dip is because of abstinence and an increase in birth control use.

— sean rossman, USA TODAY, "Teens are having less sex and using more protection," 22 June 2017
The hospital recently added a new neonatal intensive care unit to treat babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome because it has been inundated with infants born dependent on opioids.

— Washington Post, "Prosecutors’ lawsuit says opioid drug makers deceived public," 13 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abstinence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of abstinence

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year