From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishabstinenceab‧sti‧nence /ˈæbstənəns/ noun [uncountable] NOT DO somethingthe practice of not having something you enjoy, especially alcohol or sex, usually for reasons of religion or health —abstinent adjective
Examples from the Corpus
abstinence• I had planned to usher in the new decade with a month of abstinence.• Some creatures indulge but once a year, with long periods of abstinence as they make copies of themselves.• I should know by now that heavy drinkers are awfully fond of high-flown rationalisations for any brief spell of abstinence.• In the early stages of abstinence, people are having a lot of difficulties and craving is most pronounced.• Paul permits temporary abstinence also but only by mutual agreement.• Total abstinence from any sweeteners can cure a sweet tooth permanently - which is much better in the long term.• The primary goal of the treatment was abstinence.• The third floor was a no-smoking floor or I think I might have started smoking again after six years' abstinence.Origin abstinence (1300-1400) Old French Latin abstinentia, from Latin abstinere; → ABSTAIN 