abstention

plural abstentions

1. countableobsoleteuncountableThe act of restraining oneself.First known use Attested from the early 16ᵗʰ century until the med 17ᵗʰ century.
2. countableuncountableThe act of abstaining or refraining (from).First known use First attested in the early 17ᵗʰ century.

   abstention from sex

   1 more example

   abstention from alcohol

3. countableuncountableThe act of declining to vote on a particular issue.First known use First attested in the late 19ᵗʰ century.

   There were five abstentions in the vote.

4. countableuncountableNon-participation in the political world; as a country avoiding international affairs.