1. abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, especially for religious reasons
Usage: often used in religious contexts

1. a person who abstains from marriage and sexual relations
Usage: often refers to religious clergy

Examples

• Catholic priests take a vow to remain celibate.
• She chose to live a celibate life devoted to her faith.
• The monk had been celibate for over twenty years.
• Many religious orders require their members to be celibate.
• He decided to become celibate after his divorce.
• The celibate dedicated his life to serving others.