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
Needle exchange programs are one part of addressing drug use and addiction through harm reduction, a practice of abating the dangers of drug addiction without requiring abstinence from a substance.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 15 June 2024
In many cases, the programs are structured around negative stimulant tests — in other words, total abstinence from those drugs.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 31 May 2024
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024
Nuno Lemos, 50, a deckhand in his eighth year of abstinence, moved to New Bedford from Portugal as a teenager.
—C.j. Chivers James Patrick Cronin Elena Hecht Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for abstinence 
Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 15 June 2024
In many cases, the programs are structured around negative stimulant tests — in other words, total abstinence from those drugs.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 31 May 2024
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024
Nuno Lemos, 50, a deckhand in his eighth year of abstinence, moved to New Bedford from Portugal as a teenager.
—C.j. Chivers James Patrick Cronin Elena Hecht Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 6 June 2024
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 7 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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