celibacy
noun
cel·i·ba·cy
ˈse-lə-bə-sē 
1
: the state of not being married
2
a
: abstention from sexual intercourse
b
: abstention by vow from marriage
priestly celibacy
Examples of celibacy in a Sentence
a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife
Recent Examples on the Web
In this way, celibacy was part of the long tradition of all feminist practices.
—
Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
Around 2016, after a particularly painful breakup, the Body Work author decided to do something radical: give up on dating and give celibacy a try.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
As a result, he is viewed with skepticism by conservatives who considered the process a threat to church unity, given it involved debating issues such as celibacy, homosexuality and women’s ordination.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Here’s the thing: the women of history had so many good reasons for choosing celibacy.
—Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
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Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
Around 2016, after a particularly painful breakup, the Body Work author decided to do something radical: give up on dating and give celibacy a try.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
As a result, he is viewed with skepticism by conservatives who considered the process a threat to church unity, given it involved debating issues such as celibacy, homosexuality and women’s ordination.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Here’s the thing: the women of history had so many good reasons for choosing celibacy.
—Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celibacy. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
celibacy
noun
cel·i·ba·cy
ˈsel-ə-bə-sē
: the state of not being married
especially
: the state of one who has taken a vow not to marry
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