chastity

noun

chas·ti·ty | \ ˈcha-stə-tē

How to pronounce chastity (audio)

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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

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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 Why did Tolstoy, proponent of Christian charity and chastity, so mistreat his wife and so endlessly get her pregnant? — Lisa Zeidner, Star Tribune, "Review: 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain,' by George Saunders," 8 Feb. 2021 Her priestesses, the Vestals, or Vestal Virgins, therefore took an oath of chastity for their 30-year term of service tending to the ever-burning sacred fire of Rome, Vesta’s sacred hearth, as well as other rites. — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, "The history of oath ceremonies and why they matter when taking office," 19 Oct. 2020 Not everything needs to connect to the internet, particularly not chastity-promoting devices like the Qiui Cellmate. — Brian Barrett, Wired, "Security News This Week: The Law Comes for John McAfee," 10 Oct. 2020 Egypt’s conservative culture typically ties female chastity to a family’s reputation. — Samy Magdy, chicagotribune.com, "Egypt began investigation of a gang rape case that shocked the nation. But now some witnesses who came forward are being detained: ‘It’s frightening and terrifying'," 24 Sep. 2020 Her legend is typical of female Christian saints: a vow of chastity, consecration to God, defiance of the temporal authorities (in her case the governor of Syracuse) and subsequent gruesome execution. — Teju Cole, New York Times, "In Dark Times, I Sought Out the Turmoil of Caravaggio’s Paintings," 23 Sep. 2020 Marin later took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, becoming a lay worker for the Church. — Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, "The Lonely Work of Performing Funerals in Lima, Peru," 18 Aug. 2020 In an era before rape kits, and when victims were regularly cross-examined in court on their chastity and skirt length, Royston decided to fight for justice. — Anchorage Daily News, "‘They were the authority and I didn’t argue with authority’," 13 June 2020 In an era before rape kits, and when victims were regularly cross-examined in court on their chastity and skirt length, Royston decided to fight for justice. — Anchorage Daily News, "‘They were the authority and I didn’t argue with authority’," 13 June 2020

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.

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Last Updated

25 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Chastity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chastity. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for chastity

chastity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chastity

: the state of not having sex with anyone : the quality or state of being chaste

See the full definition for chastity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chastity

noun

chas·ti·ty | \ ˈcha-stə-tē

\

Kids Definition of chastity

: the quality or state of being pure in thought and act

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