# abstinence

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/ · frequency rank #22,875

## Definitions
1. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
2. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
3. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
4. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
5. The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything.
6. Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.
7. Delay of spending to accrue capital.

## Etymology
From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“I withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.

## Common misspellings (16)
`abbstinence`, `absitnence`, `absstinence`, `abstiennce`, `abstinance`, `abstinecne`, `abstinencce`, `abstinenec`, `abstinennce`, `abstinnece`, `abstinnence`, `abstnience`, `absttinence`, `abtsinence`, `asbtinence`, `bastinence`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/abstinence