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
Synonyms
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
My abstinence journey started after a difficult breakup around three years ago.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Aug. 2024
Foster also conducted basketball clinics around the world, speaking about the benefits of abstinence in Uganda at a time when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging the country.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Texture was never Eastwood’s strong point; his films have mainly been stark and spare, with a sense of style that can nearly be defined as an abstinence from style.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
Those who knew Francis commonly attributed her longevity to her lifelong abstinence from alcohol and smoking.
—Dawn Sawyer, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abstinence 
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Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Aug. 2024
Foster also conducted basketball clinics around the world, speaking about the benefits of abstinence in Uganda at a time when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging the country.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Texture was never Eastwood’s strong point; his films have mainly been stark and spare, with a sense of style that can nearly be defined as an abstinence from style.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
Those who knew Francis commonly attributed her longevity to her lifelong abstinence from alcohol and smoking.
—Dawn Sawyer, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abstinence
Dictionary Entries Near abstinence
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstinence. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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