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
The most effective form of prevention appears to be lead-by-example abstinence.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The podcaster, who's currently expecting a baby with husband Matt Howard, spoke on the Friday, April 3, episode of her Always Here podcast about her wedding night and what her experience with abstinence was like.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But the answer doesn’t seem to be total abstinence.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
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Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The podcaster, who's currently expecting a baby with husband Matt Howard, spoke on the Friday, April 3, episode of her Always Here podcast about her wedding night and what her experience with abstinence was like.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But the answer doesn’t seem to be total abstinence.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstinence. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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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