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
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence for many Catholics and other Christian denominations.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
The Catholic Church mandates abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent as an act of sacrifice and self-discipline.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Christians in Charlotte — notably Catholics — who celebrate the period of fasting, abstinence and reflection of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter will still need to eat.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2025
There are several benefits to short-term alcohol abstinence.
—Greta Cross, The Courier-Journal, 1 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
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.
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
The Catholic Church mandates abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent as an act of sacrifice and self-discipline.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Christians in Charlotte — notably Catholics — who celebrate the period of fasting, abstinence and reflection of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter will still need to eat.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2025
There are several benefits to short-term alcohol abstinence.
—Greta Cross, The Courier-Journal, 1 Jan. 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 3 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share