continence

American  

[kon-tn-uhns] / ˈkɒn tn əns /

Also continency

noun

1. self-restraint or abstinence, especially in regard to sexual activity; temperance; moderation.

2. Physiology. the ability to voluntarily control urinary and fecal discharge.

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Other Word Forms

• noncontinence
  noun
• noncontinency
  noun
• uncontinence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of continence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word continentia. See continent, -ence

Explanation

Continence refers to self control. It’s the ability to hold it all in. The word continence come from the Latin continentia which means "a holding back.” It hasn’t changed much — continence means holding back bodily functions. It’s often used in the negative, incontinence, which describes a situation you get into with babies or sick people, where they can’t control their bowels. In another sense, continence is a little like abstinence, but while abstinence is refraining from sex, usually for a religious reason, continence refers to the ability to do so.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

continence

They had had a tick list of tasks to complete and often that was too long to include meaningful engagement, support with eating or unhurried continence care.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2025

The brain’s ability to regulate bodily functions, like swallowing and continence, erodes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2025

She said children's continence care "has been a silent casualty of chronic underfunding and reactive healthcare".

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2025

Any chance Sally or Ed has anxiety, digestive or continence issues, hearing loss …?

From Washington Post ● Jan. 29, 2023

It should be specially noted that she had very strong confidence 248 in her own continence and in the integrity of the Canon.

From The Old Yellow Book Source of Robert Browning's The Ring and the Book by Anonymous