continence

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continence

/ˈkɒntɪnəns/

Where it comes from

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

noun continences · continency

uncountable, usually The voluntary control of urination and defecation. 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.
uncountable, usually Moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence. For quotations using this term, see Citations:continence.
Similar: asceticism, temperance
uncountable, usually Uninterrupted course; continuity. the Continence of the Cause should be divided

Opposite: incontinence, akrasia, acrasy, intemperance

Thesaurus

noun

Opposite: incontinence, akrasia, acrasy, intemperance

Translations

Every language

noun voluntary control of urination and defecation

Español	continencia
Italiano	continenza

noun moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence

Español	continencia
Italiano	moderazione, astinenza, continenza

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Cite this

MLA

"continence." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/continence. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

continence. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/continence

Chicago

"continence." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/continence.

BibTeX

@misc{continence_2026,
  title = {continence},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/continence},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}