incontinence

noun

in·​con·​ti·​nence (ˌ)in-ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being incontinent

We may reasonably trust … that public sobriety will reassert itself over the political and intellectual incontinence that currently commands the headlines.

—Woody West

: such as

a

: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation : partial or complete loss of bladder or bowel control

fecal incontinence

urinary incontinence

see also stress incontinence, urge incontinence

b

: failure to restrain sexual appetite

It is true that the religion of the missionaries has … effected some good. It has restrained the vices of theft and incontinence.

—Herman Melville

Examples of incontinence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sally required extensive medical attention, including spending a week in the clinic, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment for neurological symptoms and incontinence. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025

But suffering prostate cancer is even worse — especially since the treatments come with the chance that the patient will experience either erectile dysfunction (ED) or urinary incontinence. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025

Items including socks, body wipes, no-rinse body and hair wash and adult incontinence supplies can be dropped off at 5685 La Jolla Blvd. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025

This is especially true for individuals who have had prostate surgery or who experience urine or fecal incontinence. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing incontinence

• stress incontinence
• urge incontinence

Rhymes for incontinence

• continence

Kids Definition

incontinence

noun

in·​con·​ti·​nence (ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being incontinent

Medical Definition

incontinence

noun

in·​con·​ti·​nence (ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s 

1

: inability or failure to restrain sexual appetite

2

: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions

fecal incontinence

see stress incontinence, urge incontinence