Definition of ABSTENTION

abstention

Plural: abstentions

Noun

  • the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
  • The act of restraining oneself.
  • The act of abstaining or refraining (from).
  • The act of declining to vote on a particular issue.
  • Non-participation in the political world; as a country avoiding international affairs.

Examples

  • abstention from alcohol
  • abstention from sex
  • There were five abstentions in the vote.

Origin / Etymology

First attested in 1521. Borrowed from French abstention, from Late Latin abstēntiō from Latin abstinēō (“withhold, to abstain”)

Synonyms

abstinence

Scrabble Score: 12

abstention: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
abstention: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
abstention: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

abstention: valid Words With Friends Word