refrain

¹ American  

[ri-freyn] / rɪˈfreɪn /

verb (used without object)

1. to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed byfrom ).

   I refrained from telling him what I thought.

   Synonyms:

   desist, forbear

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to curb.

refrain ² American  

[ri-freyn] / rɪˈfreɪn /

noun

1. a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza; chorus.

2. Music.

   1. a musical setting for the refrain of a poem.

   2. any melody.

   3. the principal, recurrent section of a rondo.

3. an often heard statement, opinion, etc..

   Today’s technology haters have a common refrain—robots are bad for society.

4. a frequently occurring situation or series of events.

   The game followed a familiar refrain: a strong first quarter start that eventually fizzles out.

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refrain ¹ British  

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

verb

1. to abstain (from action); forbear

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refrain ² British  

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

noun

1. a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song

2. a much repeated saying or idea

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refrain Cultural  

1. In some pieces of verse, a set of words repeated at the end of each stanza.

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Other Word Forms

• refrainer noun
• refrainment noun
• unrefrained adjective
• unrefraining adjective

Etymology

Origin of refrain¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English refreinen, from Old French refre(i)ner, from Latin refrēnāre “to bridle,” derivative of re- re- + frēn(um) “bridle”

Origin of refrain¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French refreyne, from Old French refrain, derivative of refraindre “to break sequence” from Vulgar Latin refrangere (unattested) for Latin refringere “to refract ”

Example Sentences

These were his refrains when civil-rights leaders demanded he use federal power more forcefully.

From The Wall Street Journal

People observing Ramadan refrain from consuming any food or water, and engage in more charity and prayers during the holy period.

From BBC

Internally, some examiners have interpreted her policies to mean they should refrain from being tough on the banks they oversee, people familiar with the division said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In another refrain found in many poems, the women exult: “I have become cool, free.”

From The Wall Street Journal

That message has been a consistent refrain from Chinese leaders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abstain
• avoid
• cease
• curb
• desist
• forgo
• halt
• renounce
• resist
• restrain