temperance

noun

tem·​per·​ance ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s 

-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.

Synonyms

• moderateness
• moderation
• temperateness

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

Breaking free from this cycle requires a willingness to let go of grievances and embrace temperance and compassion as pathways to healing and reconciliation. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

In addition to authentic costumes and period-correct dances, guests enjoyed a buffet of food — like caraway cakes and temperance punch — typical of fare at fancy events of the 1860s. —Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Feb. 2024

Suggs worked on his temperance and self discipline while getting his mental and spiritual states into the proper space. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2024

That’s Carry Nation, an advocate of the temperance movement who smashed saloons across Kansas with rocks and hatchets. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

Photos: Sneak behind the scenes at A Cause for Tea in Monroe for a sip and a snack Feminist history of tea houses Teahouses have roots in feminist and temperance history. —Kristen Kornbluth, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2024

His father died eight days before he was born in 1864, and he was raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, by his widowed mother, a small-businesswoman and a stalwart temperance advocate. —Michael Jackman, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024

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

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

Kids Definition

temperance

noun

tem·​per·​ance ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s 

-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 

: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions

specifically : moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages