abstinence
noun
ab·sti·nence
ˈab-stə-nən(t)s 
1
: the practice of abstaining from something : the practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable
… ate with a haste and an apparent relish, that seemed to betoken long abstinence from food.—
Walter Scott
Walter Scott2
a
: habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages
b
: abstention from sexual intercourse
abstinently
adverb
Examples of abstinence in a Sentence
The program promoted sexual abstinence for young people.
a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of the efforts to help kids navigate social media are sold with the throwback language of abstinence and purity.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Since a key tenet of the Shakers was lifelong abstinence, those numbers have naturally dwindled.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
The Catholic Church believes intercourse should only happen between married couples and teaches abstinence for all others.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
The grants are used to teach adolescents about abstinence and contraception.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
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Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Since a key tenet of the Shakers was lifelong abstinence, those numbers have naturally dwindled.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
The Catholic Church believes intercourse should only happen between married couples and teaches abstinence for all others.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
The grants are used to teach adolescents about abstinence and contraception.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstinence. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abstinence
noun
ab·sti·nence
ˈab-stə-nən(t)s
1
: an abstaining from giving in to an appetite or from eating some foods
2
a
: habitual abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages
b
: abstention from sexual intercourse
abstinently
adverb
Medical Definition
abstinence
noun
ab·sti·nence
ˈab-stə-nən(t)s
: the act or practice of abstaining especially from engagement in sexual intercourse or consumption of intoxicating beverages
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