temperance
noun
Did you know?
Since temperance means basically "moderation", you might assume that, with respect to alcohol, temperance would mean moderate consumption, or "social drinking". Instead, the word has usually meant the prohibition of all alcohol. To temperance leaders such as Carry Nation, the safest form of drinking was no alcohol at all. Believing she was upholding the law, Nation began her hatchet-swinging attacks on saloons, known as "hatchetations", in the 1890s. National prohibition did eventually come—and go—but largely through the efforts of more temperate (that is, moderate) reformers.
Examples of temperance in a Sentence
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
For example, research at the Ivey Business School reveals that temperance (being calm, composed, patient, prudent, and self-controlled) is one of the weakest character dimensions for many people.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Americans joined for all kinds of purposes, from pursuing hobbies like music, to advocating such extremely controversial and divisive causes as temperance, peace, and the abolition of slavery.
—Johann Neem / Made By History, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperance
Cite this Entry
“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperance. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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