Abstinence Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

abstinence

/ˈæbstənəns/

noun

abstinence

/ˈæbstənəns/

noun

Britannica Dictionary definition of ABSTINENCE

[noncount]

:

the practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable

:

the practice of abstaining from something

• The program promoted sexual abstinence for young people.

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— often + from

• abstinence from sex
• He started drinking again after a long period of total/complete abstinence from alcohol.

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— abstinent

/ˈæbstənənt/

adjective

• He stopped drinking and has remained totally abstinent.

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