abstinence

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /'æbstιnəns/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular abstinence

Plural abstinences

1. (uncountable) Abstinence is when someone is abstaining from something or when someone does not take part in something. It's usually used to refer to not drinking alcohol or not having sex.

   Abstinence stops you from getting drunk.

   My brother's abstinence protected him from sexually transmitted diseases.

Related words

• abstinent