incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
| \ (ˌ)in-ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s
\
\
Definition of incontinence
: 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
Examples of incontinence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Often, blocking acetylcholine can alleviate symptoms caused by other conditions, including incontinence, asthma, or even seizures. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "A new study that ties common medications to dementia highlights the need for early detection," 27 June 2019 The budget includes money to restore — at least for the next two years — a variety of services that were deemed nonessential during the recession: optical services, podiatry, help for incontinence issues, audiology and speech therapy. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed his first budget. Here’s where the $215 billion will go," 27 June 2019 During the recession, coverage for audiology, optical, podiatry, speech therapy and incontinence creams had been taken away. — Laurel Rosenhall, The Mercury News, "California just passed a $215 billion budget. Here’s what’s between the lines.," 14 June 2019 The budget would spend $17.1 million to help people on Medi-Cal access vision, hearing, incontinence creams and washes, podiatry and speech therapy. — Fox News, "California OKs $214.8B budget, including health insurance for illegal immigrants, money for homelessness," 14 June 2019 If your child is over the age of 6, your pediatrician may refer you to a specialist with advanced knowledge in medications to treat incontinence such as a nephrologist or urologist. — Wendy Glaberson, M.d., miamiherald, "What can I do about my child's bedwetting? | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018 The product is also used in some other conditions such as hernia repair and urinary incontinence, which some doctors say present lower risk. — Thomas M. Burton, WSJ, "FDA Panel Assesses Risks of Women’s Surgical Mesh," 12 Feb. 2019 And surgery comes with its own serious risks, such as developing incontinence or impotence, while radiation can result in urinary problems. — Peter Loftus, WSJ, "Surgery Adds Three Years to Lives of Prostate-Cancer Patients, Study Finds," 12 Dec. 2018 Now chronic incontinence forces her to wear diapers all day and has left her too worried about wetting herself to venture outside. — Matthew Goldstein And Jessica Silver-greenberg, New York Times, "How Profiteers Lure Women Into Often-Unneeded Surgery," 14 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incontinence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for incontinence
incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
| \ (ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s
\
\
Medical Definition of incontinence
1
: inability or failure to restrain sexual appetite
2
: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions
fecal incontinence
— see stress incontinence, urge incontinence
Keep scrolling for more