continence

noun

con·​ti·​nence ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s How to pronounce continence (audio)
Synonyms of continencenext
1
: the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
fecal continence
2
: self-restraint
especially : a refraining from sexual intercourse

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of continence in a Sentence

argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This includes the five major types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional continence. — Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024 Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain. — Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contynence, contenence "moderation, restraint, abstinence (from sexual intercourse)," borrowed from Anglo-French continence, borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia, going back to Latin, "restraint, self-control," derivative of continent-, continens "restrained, not indulging in excesses" — more at continent entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of continence was in the 14th century

Rhymes for continence

See All Rhymes for continence

Browse Nearby Words

continence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continence. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

continence

noun
con·​ti·​nence ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s How to pronounce continence (audio)
1
: self-restraint in refraining from sexual intercourse
2
: the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
fecal continence

More from Merriam-Webster on continence

Nglish: Translation of continence for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All