Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The state or condition of being sober: synonym: abstinence.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state, habit, or character of being sober.
  • noun Moderation in general conduct or character; avoidance of excess or extremes.
  • noun Reasonableness; saneness; soundness: as, sobriety of judgment.
  • noun Modest or quiet demeanor; composure; sedateness; dignity; gravity; staidness.
  • noun Synonyms and Abstinence, Temperance, etc. See abstemiousness.
  • noun and Soberness, moderation, moderateness, regularity, steadiness, quietness.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun Habitual soberness or temperance as to the use of spirituous liquors.
  • noun Habitual freedom from enthusiasm, inordinate passion, or overheated imagination; calmness; coolness; gravity; seriousness.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The quality or state of being sober.
  • noun The quality or state of not being intoxicated.
  • noun The quality or state of being grave or earnestly thoughtful.
  • noun The state or quality of being unhurried; a state of calm.
  • noun A state of moderation or seriousness.
  • noun A state of modest in color or style.
  • noun Soundness of judgement.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a manner that is serious and solemn
  • noun the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
  • noun moderation in or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs
  • noun abstaining from excess

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English sobriete, from Old French, from Latin sōbrietās, from sōbrius, sober; see sober.]

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Examples

  • "It's common for someone who had long-term sobriety, and then a relapse, to decide traditional rehab is not for them."

    Is This the End for Two And A Half Men? 2011

  • House in pain, having to wrestle with sobriety is going to be a priceless ass.

    So Much For Spoilers...House, MD Finale rabid1st 2009

  • By the way, no, I havent stayed sober that long, but my failure to achieve long-term sobriety is just thatmy failurenot the failure of the program.

    Wishful Drinking Carrie Fisher 2008

  • This prepares our clients for long-term sobriety, allowing our program to excel where others fail.

    The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act Ellen Beth Gill 2008

  • This prepares our clients for long-term sobriety, allowing our program to excel where others fail.

    Turkey: Two Revolutions Walter Jon Williams 2008

  • By the way, no, I havent stayed sober that long, but my failure to achieve long-term sobriety is just thatmy failurenot the failure of the program.

    Wishful Drinking Carrie Fisher 2008

  • By the way, no, I havent stayed sober that long, but my failure to achieve long-term sobriety is just thatmy failurenot the failure of the program.

    Wishful Drinking Carrie Fisher 2008

  • The public conduct of my fellow atheists was so lacking in sobriety and gravity that I began to wonder why, if we atheists had a hammerlock on truth, so much of what we said was pointless or naive.

    Review - Orphans Of Chaos, by John C. Wright 2005

  • My two cents on the statement about the "public conduct of my fellow atheists was so lacking in sobriety and gravity"

    Review - Orphans Of Chaos, by John C. Wright 2005

  • Arrangements like these can be very helpful in maintaining long-term sobriety, as losing custody of a child is often the “bottom” that motivates addicted parents to finally seek treatment.

    Helping the Addict You Love M.D. Laurence M. Westreich 2007

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