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

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

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

It may win triumph over greed of appetite in temperance; or over fleshly passion in continence.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Beardslee, Clark S.