celibacy
/ˈsɛlɪbəsi
/noun [mass noun]
The state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations: a priest who had taken a vow of celibacy...
- The early Church saw a debate between the proponents of chastity and celibacy.
- If you are struggling with celibacy like this, maybe active ministry isn't where you should be?
- Marriage has many pains, says Johnson in Rasselas, but celibacy has no pleasures.
Synonyms
chastity, virginity, maidenhood, maidenhead, abstinence, self-denial, self-restraint, abnegation, asceticism;
the unmarried state, singleness, bachelorhood, spinsterhood;
monkhood, nunhood, monasticism
rare single blessedness, continence