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
Researchers are still trying to figure out how low-to-moderate alcohol use (at or below the dietary guidelines levels) affects health, and whether there is a threshold — short of total abstinence — that would reasonably protect people from serious risk of disease or death.
—Isabella Cueto and J. Emory Parker, STAT, 27 June 2024
Unlike tobacco and other dangerous substances, abstinence isn’t really an option.
—Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
People are meant to use all the fats inside the home in preparation for fasting and abstinence during Lent, which begins the following day on Ash Wednesday, according to Britannica.com.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 13 Feb. 2024
Strict abstinence and the avoidance of temptation seem a better bet for both substance abusers and chronic overextenders.
—James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for abstinence 
Isabella Cueto and J. Emory Parker, STAT, 27 June 2024
Unlike tobacco and other dangerous substances, abstinence isn’t really an option.
—Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
People are meant to use all the fats inside the home in preparation for fasting and abstinence during Lent, which begins the following day on Ash Wednesday, according to Britannica.com.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 13 Feb. 2024
Strict abstinence and the avoidance of temptation seem a better bet for both substance abusers and chronic overextenders.
—James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2021
See all Example Sentences for abstinence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abstinence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near abstinence
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstinence. Accessed 14 Jul. 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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