cel ‧ i ‧ bate /ˈseləbət, ˈselɪbət/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: caelibatus , from caelebs 'unmarried' ]
not married and not having sex, especially because of your religious beliefs ⇨ virgin :
Catholic priests are required to be celibate.
—celibate noun [countable]
—celibacy /-bəsi/ noun [uncountable] :
a vow of celibacy