Continence

//ˈkɒntɪnəns// noun

noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The voluntary control of urination and defecation. uncountable, usually

    "To maintain continence, the puborectalis muscle chokes the anal canal. The sling of tissue is supposed to release during defecation. Mine has not been doing that."

  2. 2
    the exercise of self constraint in sexual matters wordnet
  3. 3
    Moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence. uncountable, usually

    "For quotations using this term, see Citations:continence."

  4. 4
    voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge wordnet
  5. 5
    Uninterrupted course; continuity. uncountable, usually

    "the Continence of the Cause should be divided"

Synonyms

All synonyms
abnegationabstainmentabstemiousnessabstentionabstinenceasceticism

Example

More examples

"God, please give me chastity and continence, but not yet."

Etymology

Dated from the 14th century as Middle English contynence, from Old French continence, from Latin continentia (“a repression”). See also countenance.

Related phrases

self restraint

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.