incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˌ)in-ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s 
: the quality or state of being incontinent
We may reasonably trust … that public sobriety will reassert itself over the political and intellectual incontinence that currently commands the headlines.—
Woody West
: such as
Woody West
a
: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation : partial or complete loss of bladder or bowel control
fecal incontinence
urinary incontinence
see also stress incontinence, urge incontinence
b
: failure to restrain sexual appetite
It is true that the religion of the missionaries has … effected some good. It has restrained the vices of theft and incontinence.—Herman Melville
Herman MelvilleExamples of incontinence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The three main symptoms are gait issues, urinary incontinence and cognitive difficulties.
—Anna Kaplan, NBC news, 22 July 2025
Overactive bladder can also happen alongside incontinence, which is a loss of bladder control, but the two conditions aren’t the same, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
—Korin Miller, Flow Space, 30 May 2025
Pelvic floor and core-strengthening exercises can significantly reduce the risk of wide-ranging complications, including urinary incontinence, severe perineal tears, diastasis recti, and low back pain.
—Ashley Austin, Time, 20 July 2025
If your cat suffers from incontinence, the best course of action is taking them to your veterinarian, who will assess the cause, and then give the kitty the right treatment option.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
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Anna Kaplan, NBC news, 22 July 2025
Overactive bladder can also happen alongside incontinence, which is a loss of bladder control, but the two conditions aren’t the same, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
—Korin Miller, Flow Space, 30 May 2025
Pelvic floor and core-strengthening exercises can significantly reduce the risk of wide-ranging complications, including urinary incontinence, severe perineal tears, diastasis recti, and low back pain.
—Ashley Austin, Time, 20 July 2025
If your cat suffers from incontinence, the best course of action is taking them to your veterinarian, who will assess the cause, and then give the kitty the right treatment option.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
Cite this Entry
“Incontinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incontinence. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s
: the quality or state of being incontinent
Medical Definition
incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s
1
: inability or failure to restrain sexual appetite
2
: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions
fecal incontinence
see stress incontinence, urge incontinence
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