abstinence

American  

[ab-stuh-nuhns] / ˈæb stə nəns /

Also abstinency

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:

   teetotalism, sobriety, abstemiousness

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.

   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.

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abstinence British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• abstinent adjective
• proabstinence adjective

Etymology

Origin of abstinence

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

Example Sentences

Nevertheless, Cassian prescribed abstinence not as “‘virtuous in itself’ but because of its positive effects on the soul.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The household was conservative, Presbyterian and promoted abstinence.

From Los Angeles Times

They are concerned that encouraging abstinence from particular foods could trigger binge eating and extreme dieting to compensate.

From Salon

That’s not to suggest that abstinence alone has turned Team USA into champions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even when I was studying medicine or selling knives door-to-door in Maryland or teaching about abstinence in Mississippi or rallying and pushing kids about the importance of education here and there.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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