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

Good Friday, a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, is also the only day of the year when Mass is not celebrated. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024

Christians in Charlotte — notably Catholics — who celebrate the period of fasting, abstinence and reflection of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter will still need to eat. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024

Ash Wednesday is traditionally a day of prayer and fasting (and for some, abstinence from meat) to initiate the Lenten period of repentance and preparation. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024

In high school, Jamie Cutter sat through lectures on abstinence in a city that had one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in California. —Gillian Dohrn, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2024

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (before Easter) are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. —The Enquirer, 5 Jan. 2024

Demanding absolute abstinence from animal products is not working to change that. —Eve Andrews, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2023

Holy Thursday isn't considered a day of fasting or abstinence. —Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024

Enabling moderation rather than abstinence: An outright war to remove technology from our lives is futile and unhelpful. —Royce Branning, Fortune, 9 Jan. 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