chastity

noun

chas·ti·ty | \ ˈcha-stə-tē

Definition of chastity

1 : the quality or state of being chaste: such as

a : abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse

b : abstention from all sexual intercourse The priest took a vow of chastity.

c : purity in conduct and intention sought to protect her threatened chastity

d : restraint and simplicity in design or expression … describes the familiar campaigns with an admirable chastity of diction.— Richard Brookhiser

2 : personal integrity

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about chastity

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Examples of chastity in a Sentence

a saint who is often held up as a model of chastity vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

Recent Examples on the Web

Even so, the great saint’s famous hedge to the Almighty on chastity echoes the North Korean leader’s plea to Donald Trump in Hanoi: Mr. President, help me give up my nuclear weapons—but not yet. — William Mcgurn, WSJ, "About Trump’s ‘Failure’ in Hanoi," 4 Mar. 2019 Martin recalled that during the previous World Meeting of Families, held in Philadelphia in 2015, the only official event about gay Catholics featured a gay man and his mother speaking about chastity. — Washington Post, "Vatican-backed family rally to have speech on welcoming gays," 11 June 2018 Anita Raines, of the Conference’s National Advisory Council, said the council wants a code of conduct for bishops and a public recommitment to chastity and holiness. — Marisa Iati, The Seattle Times, "Bishops are conflicted about how they need to change to reduce sexual abuse," 13 Nov. 2018 Martin recalled that during the previous World Meeting of Families, held in Philadelphia in 2015, the only official event about gay Catholics featured a gay man and his mother speaking about chastity. — Washington Post, "Vatican-backed family rally to have speech on welcoming gays," 11 June 2018 Martin recalled that during the previous World Meeting of Families, held in Philadelphia in 2015, the only official event about gay Catholics featured a gay man and his mother speaking about chastity. — NBC News, "Vatican-backed family rally expected to have speech on lesbian and gay faithful," 12 June 2018 This was hardly the first occasion when a party had locked its politicians in purdah to preserve their chastity from a predatory rival. — The Economist, "People in India often despair of their democracy," 31 May 2018 Reilly endured his year of chastity and applied again. — John L’heureux, The New Yorker, "The Long Black Line," 14 May 2018 Consider Claudio’s infuriated reaction to Hero’s seeming lack of chastity — a fury shared by Hero’s dear old dad, Leonato, who immediately wishes his daughter dead and tries to attack her physically after being told of the phony tryst. — Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "A ‘Much Ado’ that brings Beyoncé to its battle of wits," 17 Apr. 2018

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