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

In the 12-step world, members who have maintained continuous abstinence for many years are revered—the longer their time away from alcohol and other drugs, the higher their status tends to be.

From Time

Promoting abstinence won’t work because many young people who plan to abstain don’t actually do so.

From Time

In fact, the only scientifically proven method to avoid a hangover is moderate alcohol consumption or good old abstinence.

From Popular-Science

Although the book contains some decidedly pre-coronavirus guidance — think advice on parties and bars — it’s at its strongest when talking about the inside game of abstinence.

From Washington Post

Public health experts often advocate a harm reduction approach for behaviors where abstinence is not feasible – it’s a way to minimize but not eliminate risk.

From No Straight News

We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.

From The Daily Beast

Worse, some schools preach abstinence only or offer little to no sexual education.

From The Daily Beast

Dr. Melson says abstinence only training shows no delay in sexual activity.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, the majority of states require sex educators to stress abstinence.

From The Daily Beast

Also known as The Abstinence-Violation Effect, some individuals can feel an overall loss of control after going off the deep-end.

From The Daily Beast

“Abstinence has its drawbacks,” he said, shivering in the bitter wind which whirled the stinging smoke about them.

From Project Gutenberg

I—perhaps— His hand closed over her fingers with the nervous tension that these last days of abstinence had brought him.

From Project Gutenberg

Cooked in the ashes, it makes a palatable but tough cake, which we enjoyed after our long abstinence from bread.

From Project Gutenberg

It is abstinence from evil quite as much as eager realization of good.

From Project Gutenberg

Convalescence from a severe sickness is a just cause for sexual abstinence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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