temperance

noun

tem·​per·​ance ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce temperance (audio)
-pərn(t)s
1
: moderation in action, thought, or feeling : restraint
2
a
: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions
b
: moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages

Did you know?

Since temperance means basically "moderation", you might assume that, with respect to alcohol, temperance would mean moderate consumption, or "social drinking". Instead, the word has usually meant the prohibition of all alcohol. To temperance leaders such as Carry Nation, the safest form of drinking was no alcohol at all. Believing she was upholding the law, Nation began her hatchet-swinging attacks on saloons, known as "hatchetations", in the 1890s. National prohibition did eventually come—and go—but largely through the efforts of more temperate (that is, moderate) reformers.

Examples of temperance in a Sentence

The minister preached about temperance. my father attributes his ripe old age to temperance in all things, especially eating and drinking
Recent Examples on the Web Italian Gen Zers are leading that temperance movement, with seven in 10 young people there choosing to cut back on alcohol spending last year. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 12 Feb. 2024 Prohibition The backbone of the temperance movement during the late 1800s was women’s fury at the loutishness of men. Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2024 The pleasure barge sank under suspicious circumstances in 1932, perhaps sabotaged by members of the local temperance movement. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 These are some near misses—geopolitical indicators that demonstrate that this is an era that calls for influential leaders to hew to some temperance, humility, and restraint. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 23 Oct. 2023 Besides the Trib, his great passions, if they may be called that, were civil-service reform, temperance, and habits of personal economy. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023 American vineyards faced their own deadly foe in the temperance movement. Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023 In the 19th century, the temperance movement touted ice water as an alternative to alcohol — notably not water by itself, which would perhaps have seemed too austere. Ligaya Mishan Esther Choi, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023 The walls of their tasting room, known as the Speakeasy Lab, re-create the legend of the 19th-century short story written by a temperance advocate named George Cheever. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'temperance.' 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 temperaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French temprance, temperance, borrowed from Latin temperantia "self-control, moderation, restraint," noun derivative from temperant-, temperans, present participle of temperāre "to exercise moderation, restrain oneself" — more at temper entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of temperance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near temperance

Cite this Entry

“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

temperance

noun
tem·​per·​ance ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce temperance (audio)
-pərn(t)s
1
: control over one's acts, thoughts, or feelings : moderation, restraint
2
: the use of little or no alcoholic drink

Medical Definition

temperance

noun
tem·​per·​ance ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s, -pərn(t)s How to pronounce temperance (audio)
: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions
specifically : moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages

More from Merriam-Webster on temperance

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