incontinence

American  

[in-kon-tn-uhns] / ɪnˈkɒn tn əns /

noun

• incontinences
  plural

1. the inability to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces.

2. Philosophy: Older Use. a lack of self-control, especially of sexual desire.

3. Rare. emotional incontinence.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• incontinences
  plural

Etymology

Origin of incontinence

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Old French or Latin incontentia “incontinence (of urine); lack of self-control,” equivalent to in- negative prefix + continentia “a holding back, retention”; see origin at in- ³ ( def. ) continence

Explanation

Incontinence is a lack of control. Sometimes that means you can't help but pee your pants. Another, more pleasant type of incontinence has to do with being undisciplined and addicted to life's pleasures. You probably don't want anything to do with incontinence. It could mean you're wetting the bed. It could also mean you're pooping your pants. Incontinence is something we expect of babies, but it can also happen to very sick or old people. Another kind of incontinence has to do with not being in control of your life. If you can't stop spending money, drinking, and staying out late, that's a type of incontinence, too.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

incontinence incontinences

Donna is one of an estimated 100,000 women in the UK who had the procedure to treat incontinence or prolapse.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

It is characterised by pain in the stomach and back, a frequent and urgent need to urinate, blood in the urine, and sometimes incontinence.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

Geeta said in the years following her injury she was "quite housebound to avoid the fear and the shame that comes with bowel incontinence".

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

Many retirees pay out of pocket for health-related supplies that aren’t fully covered by insurance, some of which include incontinence products, wound-care materials and wearable monitoring devices.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 15, 2026

Long Beach Savings, wholly owned by Washington Mutual, was a prime example of financial incontinence.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

The ostensible England was making the empire sick with its incontinences, its ignorances, its ferocities, its panics, and its endless and intolerable blarings of Allied national anthems in season and out.

From Heartbreak House by Bernard Shaw

We have no excuse whatever to make for these masculine incontinences; we abhor them as disgraceful and almost bestial.

From The Color Line A Brief in Behalf of the Unborn by William Benjamin Smith