abstinence

noun

ab·sti·nence ˈab-stə-nən(t)s

Synonyms of abstinence next

: 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

: habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages

: abstention from sexual intercourse

abstinent

ˈab-stə-nənt

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 next day is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Christian Lent, a time of fasting and abstinence that culminates in the Easter holiday. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2023 Replenishing Electrolytes During Fasts During a fast, your body goes through a period of restricted eating or complete abstinence from food. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023 Michigan’s plans include adding rooms in hospitals so that new mothers can stay with infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. —

Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2023 Etowah County in north Alabama has the highest rate of arrests of women for chemical endangerment but still has a rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome that is twice the state average, according to data from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. —

Amy Yurkanin | Ayurkanin@al.com, al, 4 Aug. 2023 Johnson will also discuss the health benefits of alcohol abstinence and the importance of living a fully present life at 3 p.m. Sept. 23. Kloots, a television host, dancer, actress and fitness instructor, will also lead a workout at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 22. —

Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 23 Aug. 2023 The duration of abstinence required before a drug test depends on various factors such as frequency of use, dosage, and individual metabolism. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2023 The framework has students identify the benefits of abstinence, for example. —

Sabrina Leboeuf, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2023 Kelsey introduced the idea after seeing this type of device in Cape Town, South Africa, three years prior, where she had been invited to give an abstinence talk at a church. —

Maria Laurino, The New Republic, 29 June 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

See more words from the same century