abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 

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

ˈab-stə-nənt 

adjective

abstinently adverb

Synonyms

• continence
• self-abnegation
• self-denial
• sobriety
• temperance

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

Nuno Lemos, 50, a deckhand in his eighth year of abstinence, moved to New Bedford from Portugal as a teenager. —C.j. Chivers James Patrick Cronin Elena Hecht Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 6 June 2024

To May, abstinence is not the answer to teens’ problems with social media. —Eli Joseph, Fortune, 4 June 2024

Ash Wednesday is to be observed by fasting and abstinence, according to britannica.com. —Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 14 Feb. 2024

Though technical, the changes are a significant departure from the FDA’s typical stance of using abstinence as the primary, or only, endpoint used to evaluate addiction medications. —Lev Facher, STAT, 31 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 

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

-nənt 

adjective

abstinently adverb

Medical Definition

abstinence

noun

ab·​sti·​nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 

: the act or practice of abstaining especially from engagement in sexual intercourse or consumption of intoxicating beverages

abstinent

-nənt 

adjective