celibacy

noun

cel·​i·​ba·​cy ˈse-lə-bə-sē 

1

: the state of not being married

2

a

: abstention from sexual intercourse

b

: abstention by vow from marriage

priestly celibacy

Synonyms

• abstinence
• chasteness
• chastity
• continence

Examples of celibacy in a Sentence

a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife

Recent Examples on the Web

Benedict became a rallying point for right-wing Catholics incensed at Francis and his reforms — which included outreach to gay Catholics, relaxing rules on priestly celibacy and allowing divorced and remarried believers to receive communion. —Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

Who knows, maybe Frank’s exploration of gender and sexuality, and his struggles with celibacy in the wake of those, will somehow come into play once Frank gets to meet the man who either murdered his father or is his father. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025

In the medieval church, women’s roles were limited – usually some form of enclosure and celibacy, such as becoming an anchoress walled up alone for life, or a nun in a classic convent. —Joelle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025

But Cole is resolute in his pre-marital celibacy. —Big Think, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

celibate "state of not being married" (borrowed from Latin caelibātus, from caelebs "not having a spouse, unmarried" + -ātus -ate entry 2) + -acy — more at celibate entry 1

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

celibacy

noun

cel·​i·​ba·​cy ˈsel-ə-bə-sē 

: the state of not being married

especially : the state of one who has taken a vow not to marry