continence
Americannoun
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self-restraint or abstinence, especially in regard to sexual activity; temperance; moderation.
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Physiology. the ability to voluntarily control urinary and fecal discharge.
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The brain’s ability to regulate bodily functions, like swallowing and continence, erodes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2025
Jodie Gosling, MP for Nuneaton and who chairs the all-party parliamentary group for bladder and bowel continence care, said constipation had fallen low on the list of priorities facing local council and integrated care boards.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2025
Any chance Sally or Ed has anxiety, digestive or continence issues, hearing loss …?
From Washington Post ● Jan. 29, 2023
Prof June Andrews, who has worked in dementia care for over 30 years, says rigorous continence assessments are essential to prevent assumptions being made.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2022
At these times he always returned very morose and out of temper, upbraiding his men with having violated their obligation to continence preparatory to whaling.
From The Adventures of John Jewitt Only Survivor of the Crew of the Ship Boston During a Captivity of Nearly Three Years Among the Indians of Nootka Sound in Vancouver Island by John Rodgers Jewitt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
