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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2020, my colleague Olga Khazan asked why no one seemed interested in creating a modern temperance movement. Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025 With them in charge, Lily Dale flourished into a resort town, a summer destination, a thriving year-round community of the faithful, and a hub on activist lecture circuits dedicated to suffrage, temperance, abolition, and socialism. Marissa C. Rhodes / Made By History, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024 The combination of good liquor and bad effects created a robust temperance movement by the 1840s—one that enlisted writers, such as Walt Whitman and Jack London, showmen such as P. T. Barnum, and women struggling to overcome societal subjugation such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Susan Cheever, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2016 But, according to temperance advocates, that paled in comparison to the danger posed by pregnant white women who drank. Elizabeth Marshall / Made By History, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for temperance 

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 29 Jan. 2025.

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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