celibacy

[sel-uh-buh-see]

noun

1. abstention from sexual relations.

2. abstention by vow from marriage.

   the celibacy of priests.

3. the state of being unmarried.

Other Word Forms

• celibatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of celibacy¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin caelibā(tus) “celibacy” ( caelib-, stem of caelebs “single” + -ātus -ate ³ ) + -cy

Example Sentences

Under the Church's by-laws, only monks who took a vow of celibacy can be elected a Catholicos.

From BBC

On an unseasonably warm and sunny day in Seattle, I met Febos to talk about the surprising pleasure when those three months turned into a full year of celibacy.

From Los Angeles Times

He also opposed gay adoption, as well as holding other traditional views, like rejecting the death penalty, abortion and supporting the celibacy of priests.

From BBC

Mandatory celibacy does not go over well, a joke that springs from the novel’s note that the colonists had no intellectually stimulating hobbies.

From Los Angeles Times

Traditionally, older folks worried that young people were too promiscuous; now perhaps we geezers should fret about youthful celibacy.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• chastity