abstinence

or ab·sti·nen·cy

[ ab-stuh-nuhns or ab-stuh-nuhn-see ]
/ ˈæb stə nəns or ˈæb stə nən si /

noun

forbearance from any indulgence of appetite, especially from the use of alcoholic beverages: total abstinence.
any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.
the state of being without a drug, as alcohol or heroin, on which one is dependent.

VIDEO FOR ABSTINENCE

WATCH NOW: What Does "Abstinence" Mean For You?

"Abstinence" is so very often about personal choices. That's why we should also try to abstain from judgment.

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

Origin of abstinence

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

OTHER WORDS FROM abstinence

ab·sti·nent, adjective ab·sti·nent·ly, adverb pro·ab·sti·nence, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstinence

abstention abstinence

Example sentences from the Web for abstinence

British Dictionary definitions for abstinence

abstinence
/ (ˈæbstɪnəns) /

noun

the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
mainly RC Church the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance

Derived forms of abstinence

abstinent, adjective

Word Origin for abstinence

C13: via Old French from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēre to abstain

Medical definitions for abstinence

abstinence
[ ăbstə-nəns ]

n.

The act or practice of refraining from indulgence in an appetite, as for certain foods, drink, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or sex.

Other words from abstinence

absti•nent adj.