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forbearance from any indulgence of appetite, especially from the use of alcoholic beverages:
total abstinence.
any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.
the state of being without a drug, as alcohol or heroin, on which one is dependent.
Contemporary Examples

No, it is not the hot-flash-inducing disorder it sounds like, but rather an abstinence from drinking for the month of January.
The ‘Janopause’ Detox Debate Nora Zelevansky January 8, 2012

Furthermore, for those thinking about marriage, or even about improving a cohabiting relationship, abstinence is irrelevant.
Rick Santorum’s Phony Marriage Attack on Obama Michelle Goldberg January 17, 2012

Instead I felt envious of this earlier version of myself, unencumbered by the burden of abstinence.
There’s a Reason That Addicts Say Yes to Drugs Megan McArdle March 6, 2013

She makes Victoria Beckham look like she took a vow of poverty and abstinence.
Pauline Bonaparte: Dead Cool Simon Doonan November 29, 2009

Mike Rhodes reports on her abstinence and pro-life message at her first California event.
Bristol Gets Political Mike Rhodes September 30, 2010

Historical Examples

This abstinence, joined with fatigue, has a visible effect on our health.
First Across the Continent Noah Brooks

Now that we have dined well, I would like to say aword on abstinence.
Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I. Charles James Lever

Good meanes to fet out the euelle stuffe of the body be two, abstinence, & auoydance.
The Sweating Sickness John Caius

When abstinence is the only choice, an ascetic frame of mind comes easy.
My Reminiscences Rabindranath Tagore

One day’s abstinence could do no good on any scheme: and no man was likely to offer himself for a second.
The Collected Writing of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. II Thomas De Quincey

noun
the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
(mainly RC Church) the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance
n.

mid-14c., “forbearance in indulgence of the appetites,” from Old French abstinence (earlier astenance), from Latin abstinentia, noun of quality from abstinentem (nominative abstinens), present participle of abstinere (see abstain). Specifically of sexual appetites from mid-14c., but also in Middle English of food, fighting, luxury.

abstinence ab·sti·nence (āb’stə-nəns)
n.
The act or practice of refraining from indulgence in an appetite, as for certain foods, drink, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or sex.
ab’sti·nent adj.