celibacy

[sel-uh-buh-see]

noun

1. abstention from sexual relations.

2. abstention by vow from marriage.

   the celibacy of priests.

3. the state of being unmarried.

Other Word Forms

• celibatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of celibacy¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin caelibā(tus) “celibacy” ( caelib-, stem of caelebs “single” + -ātus -ate ³ ) + -cy

Related Words

• chastity