abstinence
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.
any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
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: Abstinence addresses the symptoms of addiction, while sobriety has deeper mental and emotional dimensions.: See also sobriety (def. 3).
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.
Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.
Origin of abstinence
1- Also ab·sti·nen·cy [ab-stuh-nuhn-see] /ˈæb stə nən si/ .
Other words for abstinence
Other words from abstinence
- ab·sti·nent, adjective
- pro·ab·sti·nence, adjective
Words that may be confused with abstinence
- abstention, abstinence
Words Nearby abstinence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use abstinence in a sentence
We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze | Lizzie Crocker | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWorse, some schools preach abstinence only or offer little to no sexual education.
The Next Frontier of Sex Ed: How Porn Twists Teens’ Brains | Aurora Snow | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDr. Melson says abstinence only training shows no delay in sexual activity.
The Next Frontier of Sex Ed: How Porn Twists Teens’ Brains | Aurora Snow | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMeanwhile, the majority of states require sex educators to stress abstinence.
Also known as The abstinence-Violation Effect, some individuals can feel an overall loss of control after going off the deep-end.
When Is It OK to Cheat? The Pros and Cons of Cheat Days | DailyBurn | July 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“abstinence has its drawbacks,” he said, shivering in the bitter wind which whirled the stinging smoke about them.
The Gold Trail | Harold BindlossI—perhaps— His hand closed over her fingers with the nervous tension that these last days of abstinence had brought him.
The Woman Gives | Owen JohnsonCooked in the ashes, it makes a palatable but tough cake, which we enjoyed after our long abstinence from bread.
It is abstinence from evil quite as much as eager realization of good.
Strong Souls | Charles BeardConvalescence from a severe sickness is a just cause for sexual abstinence.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol. 3 (of 4) | W. Grant Hague
British Dictionary definitions for abstinence
/ (ˈæbstɪnəns) /
the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
mainly RC Church the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance
Origin of abstinence
1Derived forms of abstinence
- abstinent, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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