'celibacy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'caelibatus,' where 'caelebs' meant 'unmarried.'

'caelibatus' transformed into the French word 'célibat,' and eventually became the modern English word 'celibacy' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'the state of being unmarried,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'abstaining from marriage and sexual relations.'