incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˌ)in-ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s
: the quality or state of being incontinent
We may reasonably trust … that public sobriety will reassert itself over the political and intellectual incontinence that currently commands the headlines.—Woody West
: such as
a
: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation : partial or complete loss of bladder or bowel control
fecal incontinence
urinary incontinence
see also stress incontinence, urge incontinence
b
: failure to restrain sexual appetite
It is true that the religion of the missionaries has … effected some good. It has restrained the vices of theft and incontinence.—Herman Melville
Cite this Entry
“Incontinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incontinence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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