abstinence

[ ab-stuh-nuhns ]

noun

1. forbearance, especially habitual forbearance as a lifestyle choice, from any indulgence of a particular appetite, such as from sex or from the use of alcoholic beverages:

   The program promotes sexual abstinence for teens, but also provides information on contraception in case they become sexually active.

   Synonyms: abstemiousness, teetotalism, sobriety

2. any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
3. the act of abstaining for any length of time from a substance or activity to which one has become addicted, but without actually dealing with the root causes of dependency: sobriety ( def 3 ).

   Abstinence addresses the symptoms of addiction, while sobriety has deeper mental and emotional dimensions.

4. the act of abstaining from a particular substance or activity as a spiritual discipline, as during Lent or some other period of religious fasting or self-denial:

   At one time Lenten abstinence from meat was stricter than it is today.

5. Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.

abstinence

/ ˈæbstɪnəns /

noun

1. the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
2. RC Church the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance

Derived Forms

• ˈabstinent, adjective

Other Words From

• ab·sti·nent adjective
• pro·ab·sti·nence adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstinence¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word abstinentia. See abstain, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstinence¹

C13: via Old French from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēre to abstain

Example Sentences

Even as a child or teenager, you should resist billions of dollars in alcohol and drug advertising and embrace abstinence.

From Los Angeles Times

To May, abstinence is not the answer to teens’ problems with social media.

From Seattle Times

To May, abstinence is not the answer to teens’ problems with social media.

From Seattle Times

Its practices, which are not evidence-based, tout abstinence and control over one’s libido as a way to increase masculinity.

From Salon

A growing body of evidence indicates that such programs can lead to long-term abstinence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chastity
• fasting
• frugality
• moderation
• self-restraint