celibacy

noun

cel·​i·​ba·​cy ˈse-lə-bə-sē 

1

: the state of not being married

2

a

: abstention from sexual intercourse

b

: abstention by vow from marriage

priestly celibacy

Synonyms

• abstinence
• chasteness
• chastity
• continence

Examples of celibacy in a Sentence

a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife

Recent Examples on the Web

Bumble came under backlash earlier this year for advertising that positioned celibacy as a poor alternative to online dating. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Dec. 2024

They are immediately attracted to each other, but Jeffrey had made up his mind regarding his celibacy. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024

Their founding leader, an Englishwoman named Ann Lee, preached Quaker ideals, like pacifism and gender equality, but added collective ownership, a work ethic to embarrass Balzac, and, trickiest of all for a utopia trying to grow, celibacy. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

Their spinsterhood took on an ominous cast, their celibacy no longer evidence of pure, Christian love, but now suggestive of physical, emotional, and intellectual degeneracy. —Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

celibate "state of not being married" (borrowed from Latin caelibātus, from caelebs "not having a spouse, unmarried" + -ātus -ate entry 2) + -acy — more at celibate entry 1

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

celibacy

noun

cel·​i·​ba·​cy ˈsel-ə-bə-sē 

: the state of not being married

especially : the state of one who has taken a vow not to marry